Hackett welcomes approval of extra testers to reduce driving test backlog
Offaly Minister Pippa Hackett has welcomed news that 75 driver testers will be recruited in a bid to clear the backlog.
“As of today, depending on the centre you choose, you could be waiting from two to six months for a test date within Laois and Offaly. Obviously I would like to see this shortened and I welcome news of the recruitment of up to 75 driver testers.
"The current backlog is temporary and this is a necessary temporary solution. I encourage all eligible candidates to check out the details which are available through the RSA website under ‘Careers’".
On Tuesday, Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan and the Minister of State with responsibility for road safety, Jack Chambers, announced approval for 75 additional driver testers to be hired by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
This will bring the potential total number of testers to over 200 and address the current backlog in the Driver Testing Service.
This is in addition to the 30 extra testers who were previously sanctioned in July 2022 and have been fully deployed since end of March 2023. The testers will be recruited through open competition, and it is expected that new testers will be trained and ready to work from October of this year.
With these new testers in place, customers will see improvements in their waiting times and the RSA expect the backlog of applicants to be returned to target customer service levels by the end of the first quarter of 2024.
Demand for driving tests is now at unprecedented levels, applications in 2022 were 28% higher than 2021 levels and 27% up on 2018 pre COVID-19 pandemic levels. The current demand for driving tests has a number of contributory factors, including: an increase in application volumes, with more learners applying for and becoming eligible to take their driving test since the start of 2022; increased capacity and take up of the Driver Theory Test; and an increase in Advanced Driving Instructors’ and their capacity to deliver lessons to learner drivers.
Minister Ryan said: "These additional testers will enable the RSA to begin reversing the growing backlog. It is important to recognise that there are no quick fixes or easy solutions, but my Department will continue to keep the situation under review. “
Sam Waide, CEO of the Road Safety Authority added: “I welcome this decision by the Ministers and would like to thank my colleagues for their support and dedication over this challenging period. Our team have worked very hard to support applicants during this busy time. We look forward to working with these new staff to bring our Driver Testing service to normal levels.”
The open recruitment campaign has gone live. Once the recruitment process is complete, training will commence with successful candidates and new driver testers will begin testing in October.