Figures show 11% of all learner drivers on Irish roads are in Cork

New figures published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has revealed that drivers in Cork account for one in nine of all learner-permit holders across the country.

The figures show there were 394,128 learner permit holders driving on Irish roads at the end of September, compared to 381,871 at the end of March.

Of these, 43,511 were registered in Cork, an increase of 851 in the six-month period. According to the RSA, the Cork figure represents 11% of all learner permit holders in Ireland.

Of the Cork permit holders, 270 are under 17 years old; 23,862 are aged between 17 and 29; 10,276 between 30 and 39; 5,658 between 40 and 49 years old; 2,299 between 50 and 59 years old; 859 between 60 and 69 years old, and 244 between 70 and 79 years old.

It further showed there are 43 learner permit holders in Cork that are 80 years old and above.

Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) president Ger Hyland said the increased number of learner drivers on Irish roads comes at a time when “road deaths are spiralling”.

Garda figures show that 158 people died on Irish roads between January and November 20 this year, representing an increase of nine deaths compared to the same period in 2024.

Beggars belief

“The levels of inexperienced drivers on our roads beggars belief,” said Mr Hyland.

“Especially at a time when millions of taxpayers euros are being pumped into the RSA to clear a chronic backlog of driver testing across all licence categories.”

He said having 394,128 inexperienced drivers on our roads is “a mess and it’s not getting any better”. 

Mr Hyland additionally highlighted that 2,754 fixed charge notices were issued nationally by gardaí in the first three months of 2025 to learner drivers caught driving without a fully licensed driver. 

Of those, 264 were issued to learner drivers in Cork city and county.

Mr Hyland said that Irish roads have become dangerous places for members of the IRHA and criticised the RSA for failing to “get a handle on what is a crisis for Irish road safety”.

“How are we supposed to accept that around 10% of Ireland’s driving public are on some kind of learner permit,” said Mr Hyland. 

“We have been asking questions of the RSA for the past 12 months on behalf of our members and the driving public. It is high time that minister Sean Canney called them to task.”