Roscommon meeting driving test waiting target as sweeping changes to learner permits come into effect

Roscommon is one of just three driving test centres nationwide meeting the Road Safety Authority’s 10-week waiting time target, as sweeping changes to learner permits take effect this Sunday.

The local centre joins Kilrush and Naas as the only locations among 57 centres across the State reaching the benchmark. However, securing a test date takes a further three to five weeks.

The figures put Roscommon ahead of most centres as the testing service faces increased demand ahead of new rules ending the practice of repeatedly renewing learner permits without sitting a test.

From November 1st, learners will no longer be able to secure successive renewals simply by applying and paying for a driving test.

Under the changes, learners can hold two permits, each lasting two years, before having to take a test. If they fail, a third two-year permit is allowed, followed by another test.

If they fail, a fourth one-year permit can be issued again, but it will last just a year. Failure then means going back to the theory test and driving lessons.

According to RSA figures, there are already 73,000 learners on three or more permits, of whom 35,000 have booked and paid for a test in advance of the deadline.

Authority chief operating officer Brendan Walsh said 11,000 people are on 11 or more permits, with a “handful” on 40 or more – driving for at least 40 years on a provisional licence.

Some 16,000 people, mainly under 40, are on their third learner permit and “a huge number are in their early to mid-20s” and expected to be through the system “very quickly”, he said.

However, there has been a surge in test applications from a system already struggling to meet demand.