"Employment opportunities lost" from test backlog

The RSA (Road Safety Authority) reported 1,468 people are waiting on driving tests in Cavan, as of June 23.

The figure is significantly higher than the 591 people on the driving test list in neighbouring County Monaghan.

Priority in testing is given to essential workers, however testing of non-essential workers resumed on May 24.

The number of people waiting for a test has only reduced by eighty seven people in County Cavan within the past two months.

The majority on the waiting list are in the under 20 age category, where 299 people await their test.

“There are study and employment opportunities being lost from the backlog," Cavan Labour Representative Liam Van der Spek said of the problem facing learner drivers, "We need to see additional testers resourced to clear the backlog as a matter of urgency."

Mr Van der Spek called for faster action on the matter: “Given the glacial reduction in numbers the Transport Minister needs to look again at this issue and properly resource to the RSA to clear the backlog quicker as this is an issue that affects remote areas such as Cavan where people are dependent on a car to get around due to poor or non-existent public transport.”