Almost 7,000 on Cork’s driving test waiting lists

ALMOST 7,000 learner drivers are on waiting lists to undergo their driving tests at Cork’s three testing centres and many will have to wait more than eight months before their exam, new figures have confirmed.

According to responses to Dáil questions posed by Cork North Central Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould, there were 4,602 waiting for tests in Cork’s Wilton testing centre while there were 446 on the list in the testing centre in Ballincollig. There were a further 1,233 applicants on the waiting list in Mallow.

According to the information furnished in the response to the Dáil question, 1,132 applicants have had their tests scheduled in Wilton, there are 150 with appointments for tests in Ballincollig and, in Mallow, there are 442 tests scheduled.

In Wilton, candidates are being given dates no earlier than June 17 next year for their appointments.

In Mallow the waiting time is 20 weeks, with appointments being scheduled on or after March 25, 2024.

The lengthy waiting times for tests in Cork has been described as “not good enough” by Mr Gould.

“To have over 4,500 eligible learner drivers waiting for a test date in Wilton alone is shocking,” he said. “It is almost 7,000 when those across Cork city and county are included.

“Many of these learner drivers are people who need a car for work or to drop kids to school.

“For many, public transport is not always an option — including those doing shift work and those living in rural areas.

“These long delays are keeping people out of the workforce and adding barriers to education.”

The party’s candidate in the Cork City South West ward for next year’s local elections, Ballincollig-based Joe Lynch, said the recruitment of more testers had been promised again and again but waiting times were still not falling.

“Cork now has one of the highest wait times for a driving test in the State.

“Yet again, Cork is drawing the short straw when it comes to basic services.”

The Road Safety Authority was contacted for comment.