Almost 1,000 people waiting to sit their driving test in Cavan and Monaghan

A local deputy has again raised the need for extra resources for Driving Test Centres in this region. According to figures released to Deputy Niamh Smyth, Cavan has 614 people ready be tested.  In Monaghan, the figure is slightly less with 345 people waiting to sit their test.

Commenting Deputy Smyth said, “I have raised this issue on numerous occasions and the figures do not appeal to be getting any better. They have been split into various categories such as those waiting on appointment, those scheduled for an appointment but waiting on a test and those completing their EDT lessons in order to get on the waiting list.

“If you look at Cavan for instance, 972 people are in the process of getting their driving licence. 232 of them await an appointment date. 382 people have a date but await their test and 358 are completing their 12 lessons to get on the waiting list. It’s not acceptable. This is all exacerbated by a waiting time of 7 -11 weeks.”

The Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan continued: “In Monaghan the picture is similar with 520 people in the system at present according to the Road Safety Authority. 199 applicants are waiting on a test appointment. 146 have a date but await their test while 175 are completing their lessons. People in Monaghan are waiting 6-12 weeks for a test date.”

Deputy Smyth concluded, “As I’ve outlined previously on this issue, in many cases these waiting times are preventing people taking up employment. These are the stories coming through my Constituency Offices. I am again appealing on Minister Shane Ross and the RSA to pump in the resources needed to our local test centres and get these people their driving tests; decrease waiting times and more importantly get people who have secured employment, out to work.”