Pensioner forced to re-sit driving test due to lost licence

A Carlow pensioner is being forced to re-sit her driving test or risk being permanently put off the road for what she claims is a NDLS clerical error.

The motorist, who did not wish to be named, went to replace her driving licence late last year when she discovered it was lost.

She told the Carlow Nationalist that the local National Driver Licence Service (NDLS) in Graiguecullen claimed there was no record of her passing her test.

She had no success after looking for answers from the NDLS and RSA.

“I feel like I’m just stuck and have no voice whatsoever. There’s just no consideration at all for me,” she told The Nationalist.

She has now been told she will have to re-sit her driving test. This now involves a theory tests, 12 driving lessons and the driving test.

“My insurance is up in March, so without my driving licence, that’s it, I’ll be off the road and I really need my car,” said the woman, who lives alone.

The woman said she passed her driving test in 2008 and renewed her licence in 2018.

“I committed no driving offences, I’ve an absolutely clean record, I pay my taxes and yet I have to go to the huge expense and hassle of resitting my test because their records are wrong. It’s just not right,” she said.

The RSA issued the following statement when contacted by The Nationalist: ‘The RSA cannot comment on individual cases. We are happy to provide information directly to the individual involved if they contact the RSA or supply their contact details for us to contact them.’