Top officials from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) appeared before the Oireachtas Transport Committee yesterday, providing a comprehensive update on the state of Ireland’s driving test service. In a session marked by both progress and tension, the RSA confirmed that a national strike scheduled for today has been averted and that the country is finally approaching its long-term target for test wait times.
The “10.3 Week” Milestone
RSA Chief Executive Sam Waide informed the committee that the national average waiting time for a driving test has dropped to 10.3 weeks. This is a significant improvement from the 30-week peaks seen in late 2023 and 2024. The RSA credited this progress to the successful recruitment of 45 additional testers, bringing the total national workforce to 196.
However, committee members were quick to point out that “averages” can be misleading. While centers in the west and north of Ireland are meeting the 10-week target, major urban centers like Dun Laoghaire, Mulhuddart, and Raheny are still experiencing waits of 15 to 17 weeks. The RSA assured the committee that new staff are being prioritized for these “hotspot” areas to bring them in line with the national average by mid-2026.
Breaking News: The Strike is Off
The most immediate news delivered to the committee was the formal cancellation of the Fórsa trade union strike. The dispute, which threatened to cancel thousands of tests today, was resolved through a new agreement on insurance liability.
Testers had expressed fear that they were legally vulnerable if they conducted a test in an uninsured vehicle. To resolve this, the RSA told the committee they have reached a landmark deal with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI). Over the next nine months, testers will be given direct access to the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID) via their handheld tablets. This will allow them to verify a car’s insurance status in real-time, removing any legal “grey areas” and ensuring tester safety.
A New “Zero-Tolerance” on Documentation
During the hearing, it was revealed that nearly 15% of tests are currently being cancelled because candidates arrive with incorrect documentation or faulty vehicles. The RSA warned that with testers now given more authority to verify insurance, they will be adopting a “zero-tolerance” approach.
“The burden is on the applicant,” an RSA spokesperson told the committee. “If the insurance disc is missing, expired, or the vehicle has a warning light on the dashboard, the test will not proceed, and the fee will be forfeited. This is necessary to protect our staff and ensure the integrity of the test.”
Future Technology: Digital Certificates
The committee also discussed the upcoming transition to Digital Driving Certificates. By the end of 2026, the RSA aims to move away from paper “pass certificates.” Instead, results will be uploaded instantly to the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), allowing successful candidates to apply for their full license on their phones before they even leave the test center car park.
Despite the progress, the Transport Committee concluded by urging the RSA not to become “complacent.” They highlighted that the high cost of car insurance for young drivers remains a barrier, and any further delays in the testing system only add to the financial burden on families.
