'Long-term plan' needed to address driving test wait times, says Cork senator 

Wilton in Cork has the second-highest number of people waiting for driving tests in Ireland, new figures have shown.

Figures from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) show that, as of the end of March, a total of 11,541 people are on the list for a driving test in the Wilton centre.

This includes 296 people whose tests have been scheduled, 3,161 whose applications are considered paused, 1,849 who are not yet eligible, and 6,235 who are awaiting an invitation to book their driving test at the centre.

The numbers are over the national average in both Wilton and Mallow, where a total of 3,942 people are waiting for driving tests, including 361 whose tests are scheduled, 1,094 paused applications, 637 not eligible, and 1,850 who are waiting for a test date.

There are a further 1,903 people on the list for tests in Skibbereen — 90 with scheduled tests, 492 paused, 284 not eligible, and 1,037 waiting for a date.

The Government confirmed earlier this month that the number of driving testers assigned to Cork is to double by the end of April, coming when the first tranche of new driving tester recruits are fully trained.

Cork Labour senator Laura Harmon said that she lives right beside the Wilton test centre, where numbers were incredibly high.

“We are hearing that people are now getting their driving licenses in Georgia, because they can’t get them in a timely manner in Ireland,” Ms Harmon said.

“Cork people are often having to travel to other counties when they should be able to do their tests here,” she added.

“The waiting lists in Cork are unacceptable and, while it is welcome that more testers will be allocated, we need a long-term plan to ensure the waiting times are reduced permanently.

“I’m learning to drive myself at the moment at the age of 38.

“At this rate, I’ll be in my 40s before I am on the road, because of the waiting lists.”

Her party colleague, Cork city councillor Ciara O’Connor, said: “The current waiting times for driving tests are simply unacceptable. It’s imperative that we urgently increase resources at the Wilton driving test centre.

“As Cork continues to wait for a robust public transport system and infrastructure that enhances connectivity throughout the city and its surrounding areas, many residents depend on driving to manage daily responsibilities — whether it’s taking their children to school, commuting to work, or attending essential appointments.”