Driving Test Backlog In Kildare: New Centres And Examiners Promised

Thursday, 22 May 2025 09:39

By Martin Osborne and Tara Flanagan

This plan by the Road Safety Authority includes accelerating the training of new examiners and expanding test times, including overtime for Saturdays and bank holidays.

A new plan has been launched to cut the long waiting times for driving tests.

Nationally over 100,000 people are currently waiting to take their exam and in Kildare 4,024 applicants are awaiting a test.

Kildare has one of the highest estimated waiting times, with testing centres varying from a wait time of 29 to 30 weeks.

Over 43,626 learner drivers are on the roads in Kildare alone, with Gardaí issuing 10,552 unaccompanied learner drivers with fixed penalty notices last year.

The RSA aims to reduce average wait times nationally from 27 weeks to just 10 by early September.

The plan by the Road Safety Authority includes accelerating the training of new examiners and expanding test times, including overtime for Saturdays and bank holidays.

It also includes targeted interventions in the booking system to make sure areas with the greatest demand are looked after.

New driving test centres are also to be opened to help clear the backlog. A new test centre opening later this year will boost capacity in Kildare, bringing the number of testers from 8 to 15. Testing hours are also being extended to evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.

The RSA has also asked people to help support them by cancelling tests early if they can't make it and making sure their cars are roadworthy before arriving for a test.

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