Dublin driving test centre to close amid rising national waiting lists

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has announced the closure of the Raheny driving test centre in Dublin on September 18 due to ongoing building works. This decision comes as waiting times at the facility have increased significantly, rising from 18 weeks last year to 29 weeks in July. The RSA stated that applicants will be transferred to the nearby Killester centre, a move they claim will ultimately help improve waiting times in the area.

National data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) indicates that the driving test backlog is growing, with approximately 66,091 people on waiting lists across Ireland in July, up from 60,474 in January. While some Dublin centres like Finglas and Tallaght have seen reduced wait times, other regions such as Killarney and Ballina have experienced increases.

Sinn Féin transport spokesperson Pa Daly criticized the situation, stating that the rising numbers raise “serious concerns about the capacity of the system to meet demand.” Additionally, the RSA has issued warnings regarding unauthorized third-party services that claim to help learners secure cancelled appointments, noting that bookings made through such platforms may be subject to cancellation.