Long delay for driving tests in Limerick strongly criticised
THE ongoing delay in providing driving tests for learner-drivers in Limerick has been strongly criticised with one senator describing it as ridiculous.
Senator Paul Gavan said says he has been approached by a number of Limerick people, who have been waiting for several weeks already and who can't get a definitive date as to when their driving test will be.
He said: “The Road Safety Authority (RSA) needs to explain what steps they are taking to alleviate the current crisis. Figures at the end of last year indicated a ridiculous wait time of 32 weeks at the Limerick Woodview Test Centre - if anything, the situation seems to be getting even worse."
In many cases, the need for a driving licence is not just for social purposes as licences are required for many jobs and careers.
The Castleconnell-based senator continued by saying: “The situation is particularly frustrating for young people who have invested hundreds of euro in driving lessons, only to find their lives are being put on hold for up to eight months because the RSA has not taken sufficient steps to hire testers in the numbers required.
“Anyone could have predicted that there would be a spike in demand for testing once Covid ended, but apparently nobody in the Department of Transport or RSA thought of this until late last year when waiting times went through the roof.”
Senator Gavan confirmed he has written to the Minister for Transport demanding answers as to what additional steps the government is taking to tackle this crisis.