Kerry drivers waiting up to half a year for test

PEOPLE in Kerry face one of the worst waiting times for a driving test in Ireland, according to TD, John Brassil (pictured left).

The Fianna Fail Deputy said waiting times here can extend up to 26 weeks for a test, while the average waiting time in most other counties is just 16 weeks.

The Road Service Authority (RSA) is the national body charged with administering the Driving Test and it states the average waiting time for a test at the Tralee Centre is 13.6 weeks; however, Deputy Brassil said this does not paint an accurate picture of the overall problem there.

“This has been disputed by members of staff working in the centre who claim that the average waiting time is in excess of 27 weeks, which is well over six months. This is a scandalous amount of time to be waiting just to get a driving test and it is affecting those who are paying crazy insurance prices, and who, if they pass their test, should see a reduction in their premiums,” said Deputy Brassil.

He added that even people who decide to go on the list for cancellations are being forced to wait up to 26 weeks, meaning there is little hope of getting an ad hoc appointment quickly.

“Kerry is fairing worse than most parts of the country where certain counties have a wait time of just 16 weeks, so there is a challenge that must be addressed in Kerry,” the Deputy added.

Meanwhile, in its response, the RSA said there are two driver testers in Tralee and two in Killarney but these testers must also conduct driving tests in other centres around the county. In the month of June alone, only one tester has operated from Tralee, whereas two have covered Killarney.

The RSA say this deployment system is constantly reviewed and adjusted in order to meet the demand as much as possible in Kerry centres.