'Completely unacceptable': 7,661 people waiting for driving test in Cork

There are 7,661 people waiting for a driving test in Cork, a situation that is “completely unacceptable”, Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has said.

Figures from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) show that for the Sarsfield Rd testing centre, 4,464 people are waiting on a driving test, and in Ballincollig and Mallow there are 516 and 1,855 people, respectively, with a further 826 people waiting in Skibbereen.

The RSA website shows that people who book a test now in Wilton should receive a date for the first week in December, while people in Mallow will be waiting until the third week of December. For Skibbereen, the estimated date is the third week of October. No estimated date is provided for Ballincollig, which does not test private car drivers.

An RSA spokesperson said: “The driver testing estimate time to invite for an individual waiting for their driving test is personalised and dependent on a number of factors specific to that applicant’s circumstances.

“An applicant can also pause their application, reschedule, or cancel their test, and each of these actions will have an impact on their overall waiting time for an invitation.”

Mr Ó Laoghaire said: “This is completely unacceptable. This problem is particularly bad in Cork, and it is simply not good enough.

“These are people who are eligible to sit their test, who need their driving licence to get to work and drop kids to school. These are young people who look forward to passing their test and gaining some independence, and they are waiting and waiting to be issued with a test date, unclear as to when a slot will become available.

“I have been contacted by constituents whose employment is at risk, due to being unable to transport themselves to and from their place of work, and it is a devastating blow for learner drivers, who are trying to plan their work and family life.”

He added: “Public transport is not always an option, particularly for night workers or those living or working in more remote areas.

“As well as that, in Cork, public transport cannot always be relied upon.

“Applications for tests have risen steadily over the last number of years, and there is a clear failure by the minister and the Department of Transport, in terms of their workforce planning.

“Failing to plan and prepare has been a consistent theme throughout both the last and the current governments’ term.”

Mr Ó Laoghaire said that he will be writing to transport minister Darragh O’Brien, urging him to seek a solution as a matter of urgency.

“This can’t be pushed down the agenda any longer,” said Mr Ó Laoghaire.

“The minister and the department aren’t treating this issue with the urgency it deserves.”