Driving tester numbers in Cork set to double by month end

The number of driving testers in Cork is to double by the end of this month, amid ongoing issues with long waiting lists.

The Road Safety Authority confirmed at the end of February that there were 8,043 learner drivers waiting for a test across Cork, with 5,024 waiting on a test in Wilton; 1,703 in the Mallow centre; 919 in Skibbereen, and 397 in Ballincollig.

The current estimated driving test date in Wilton is October 27; in Mallow it is October 20, while it is September 22 in Skibbereen.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, John Paul O’Shea, asked minister for transport Darragh O’Brien about the actions his department was taking to reduce what Mr O’Shea described as the “unacceptable” waiting time for driving tests in Cork.

In reply, Mr O’Brien said he acknowledged current waiting times are far in excess of what is acceptable, adding: “I would like to assure the deputy that measures have been taken to address the issue.

“To support the RSA in increasing testing capacity and improving service delivery, in September 2024 my department sanctioned an additional 70 permanent positions for driver testers.

“As a condition of sanction, the RSA was required to put a plan in place to restore the 10-week waiting time target as soon as possible. I understand that the recruitment process is well under way, with the first tranche of new testers having commenced training this month. As additional testers enter the system, testing capacity will increase, and I expect that we will begin to see progress on reducing waiting times in the months ahead.

“I have been advised by the RSA that the number of testers assigned to Cork is expected to double by the end of April, when the first tranche of new recruits are fully trained.”

Speaking to The Echo, Mr O’Shea said he welcomed the response from the minister.

“It’s the most promising update we’ve got to date,” he said. 

“In Mallow, people are waiting 10 or 11 months now — it’s completely unacceptable. I would ask that the RSA stick to their commitment and that the minister follows up with them to make sure that, come end of April, those testers will be in place and we can get the backlog down.”

He said there isn’t a day that goes by without a constituent getting in contact looking for an earlier test date.

“Young people in the driving age bracket of 18-20 say they need to be able to drive for summer work, for college or for getting into the workforce,” he said, pointing out that public transport is not frequent enough and does not go to enough places to suit everyone.

“People in my constituency are dependent on their cars. Come September, parents in North Cork and Mid Cork are usually choosing for their children to drive to college because it’s unaffordable to stay up in the city.”