Frustration in Waterford over driving test dates being pushed back as waiting list grows
Learners in Dungarvan and West Waterford have seen their estimated invitation dates pushed back repeatedly
Learner drivers in County Waterford have expressed frustration over their driving test dates being pushed back.
A number of learners in Dungarvan and West Waterford have seen their estimated invitation dates pushed back repeatedly.
Some applicants have reported that their dates have been moved three or four times.
Sinn Féin councillor Donnchadh Mulcahy said: “I have been contacted again by people waiting for their driving test in Dungarvan, and there is a particular issue that needs to be properly explained.
“People are being given an estimated invitation date, only to see that date pushed back again and again.
“We understand that there is significant demand for driving tests and that staffing and tester availability can affect the number of appointments that can be provided.
“We are constantly seeing months where some of the backlog is alleviated, only to see it build up again.”
He continued by saying that such delays are having a real impact on learner drivers.
“Applicants are now asking very reasonable questions: why, after waiting in the queue, are their estimated dates continuing to move backwards? What are causing the delays?
“If someone has been given an estimated date based on their position in the queue, they need to have confidence that the system is working fairly and that the information being provided to them is meaningful.
“Constantly changing dates make it extremely difficult for people to plan their lives.”
These sentiments were echoed by his party colleague, Cllr Kate O’Mahoney.
She stated: “The number waiting in Dungarvan remains far too high, and it is something my Sinn Féin colleagues and I have constituently been raising.
“As of August, 876 people were waiting for a driving test, and behind every one of those numbers is a person trying to get on with their life.
“For learners across Dungarvan and West Waterford, having a driving licence can be
hugely important.
“It can determine whether someone can take up a college place, accept a job, attend an apprenticeship or training course, or simply access opportunities outside their immediate area.”
Cllr O’Mahoney also emphasised the impact that such delays are having on those waiting to sit their driving test.
“People are putting in the work, completing their lessons and waiting their turn, but then finding that the estimated date they were relying on has been pushed back yet again.
“We need transparency from the RSA about what is driving these changes.
“If the number of people in the queue is increasing, if tester capacity has changed, or if there are other operational issues affecting Dungarvan, people deserve to know.
“We have previously written to the Minister on this issue and we have no other choice but to continue to raise it directly with him, as well as the RSA.”
The Sinn Féin councillors are calling on the RSA and Minister Seán Canney to provide an explanation for the repeated changes to estimated invitation dates.
Cllr O’Mahoney and Cllr Mulcahy also requested that they outline what additional measures are being taken to reduce the waiting list.
The two councillors concluded by saying that they will continue to raise and seek further information on the issue.