Driving test waiting times fall in Louth as Dundalk benefits from RSA capacity boost

Driving test waiting times have fallen across Louth, with Dundalk seeing improvements as the RSA expands capacity ahead of a new test centre in Drogheda.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has said that it has delivered on the commitments set out in its Driving Test Action Plan, reducing waiting times to a 10-week average and increasing capacity across the national driver testing service. 

From June to August 2025, the RSA conducted more than 74,000 driving tests, a 17% increase compared to the same period in 2024. In that period alone, over 15,000 overtime tests were delivered.

New centres in Sandyford and Drogheda are at the final stages. While these sites are not yet operational, the assigned testers are already deployed to nearby centres such as Tallaght, Dun Laoghaire and Dundalk.The RSA have also confirmed that plans for a third new centre are advancing, with a site in Munster identified.  

In a statement the the RSA said: "The RSA has achieved sustained improvements in waiting times, supported by the extraordinary efforts of driver testers, administrative, call centre and training staff, as well as newly recruited testers who have strengthened the service. 

"Applications remain at record levels, with 192,373 driving test applications received between January and August 2025. July and August saw an unexpected surge in applications, far exceeding typical seasonal patterns. These sharp fluctuations highlight the unpredictability of demand; yet, even under these pressures, RSA staff maintained capacity through their dedication and continued to reduce waiting times across test centres. 

"In recent months, resources were temporarily redeployed from higher-category testing to recruitment and training. This initially placed pressure on drivers awaiting tests in higher categories. The RSA has brought this back into balance, with an extraordinary effort made in recent weeks to increase capacity. In August alone, 1,332 higher-category tests were conducted, up from 850 in July. The RSA acknowledges and thanks those drivers for their patience and understanding during this period. 

"The five busiest centres - Tallaght, Finglas, Cork (Wilton), Naas, and Dun Laoghaire/Deansgrange - together accounted for more than a quarter of all applications nationwide this year. At the same time, improvements were seen across the entire network, with average waiting times reducing in every county."    

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While acknowledging this significant achievement, the RSA stressed that maintaining service levels will remain a delicate balancing act. Demand for tests is unpredictable as has been seen from a surge in July and August. The RSA say they will continue to actively manage the service, responding swiftly to any unexpected spikes in demand by deploying additional capacity measures going forward. 

Brendan Walsh, Chief Operating Officer with the RSA, said: “This achievement is the result of an extraordinary team effort. Our driver testers, administrative and training staff, and the many new recruits who joined us have worked tirelessly under intense scrutiny and pressure. Their commitment and professionalism deserve recognition. 

“We also want to thank drivers, instructors, and stakeholders for their patience and support as we worked through a period of unprecedented demand. While today marks an important achievement, we know that maintaining these gains will require continued vigilance, flexibility, and collaboration.”