Gridlock for driver tests

Learner drivers in Cavan face one of the longest wait times in the country for their driving test.

The Road Safety Authority says the earliest date for a test in Cavan is estimated at February 6, 2023, almost five months away.

Only four driving test centres across the country have longer wait times: Dun Laoghaire/Deansgrange (13/02), Tallaght (20/02), Killester (13/03) and Drogheda. The latter has the longest wait time in the country. The earliest date for a test there is April 2.

Waits in Cavan are up to two and a half months longer than some other local centres. Mullingar has the shortest wait of centres in this region where a test can be booked for November 21.

Longford (05/12), Monaghan (26/12), Carrick-on-Shannon (09/01) and Navan (16/01) all have shorter waiting times.

The delays are causing problems for the region’s learner drivers. Katie O’Reilly from Cootehill is waiting for her second driving test date.

The 20 year old was originally scheduled for a test almost two years ago, but concerns over Covid-19 saw her cancel that date.

“I regret it at this stage,” Katie told the Celt. “I cancelled because I have relatives who were isolating and didn’t want to take the risk. I felt it was better to do that.”