RSA action plan aims to reduce backlog as nearly 9,000 wait for test in Cork

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has launched an action plan aimed at reducing driving test waiting times in Cork and across the country.

In Cork currently there are 8,754 applicants awaiting a driving test, with the national figure standing at 100,000.

Extended operating hours for tests are among the measures aimed at reducing the average waiting time for a test down from 27 weeks to 10 by early September of this year.

Other measures include overtime for weekday evenings, Saturdays, and bank holidays; accelerated training of new testers through the use of additional training facilities; and a revised approach to training — enabling early deployment of new testers.

In addition, there will be targeted manual intervention to the booking system — ensuring invitations are issued to areas of greatest demand — and more efficient slot allocation.

Cork test centres will see the number of testers assigned to them increase over the coming months, subject to demand levels.

Nationally, new driving test centres will open in key areas — increasing the total number of centres to 60.

RSA chief executive officer Sam Waide acknowledged public frustration in relation to waiting times for driving tests.

“Our team has developed a focused, projection-based plan to improve availability and reduce wait times,” Mr Waide said.

“Every part of the system is being mobilised to deliver for the public.”

He said the RSA will publish progress updates every fortnight through its website to “ensure full transparency and public awareness as the plan advances”.

“We’re asking customers to support the effort by cancelling early if they cannot attend, so that appointments can be offered to others,” said Mr Waide. “Every cancelled slot that’s re-used helps us reduce the backlog faster.”

The RSA is also currently examining contingency measures, both internally and externally, as options to deal with any potential future surges in demand for driving tests.