The driving test backlog in Dungarvan has climbed to almost 1,000 people, prompting renewed criticism of the Government and the Road Safety Authority.
New figures from the RSA show that 970 applicants now wait for a driving test at the Dungarvan Test Centre, marking a sharp increase in recent months.
Sinn Féin councillor for the Dungarvan local electoral area, Kate O’Mahoney, confirming that the crisis has worsened, despite repeated claims that waiting times were improving.
She said the Minister previously confirmed that the waiting list had fallen to 767 in September.
“Now the RSA is telling us that 970 people are once again stuck waiting in Dungarvan,” she said. “That shows very clearly that the system remains broken.”
Growing Delays and Missed Targets
Cllr O’Mahoney said the scale of the backlog proves that current measures fail to meet demand.
“We are heading into the New Year with nearly 1,000 people waiting for a test in Dungarvan.
She warned that many applicants now face delays of more than six months.
Despite Government commitments to reduce waiting times to ten weeks by September.
“That target has been missed by a mile,” she said. “Dungarvan is nowhere near compliance.”
Impact on Jobs, Education and Independence
The councillor said she continues to hear from residents who feel stuck due to the lack of access to driving tests.
“These are people trying to take up jobs, attend college, or gain basic independence,” she said. “For many, a driving licence is not optional. It is essential.”
She added that the Dungarvan test centre serves a wide catchment area across Waterford and neighbouring counties.
Calls for Urgent Action
Cllr O’Mahoney confirmed she will raise the issue again directly with Minister of State Seán Canney, calling for immediate intervention.
“This test centre needs additional examiners and expanded testing capacity as a matter of urgency,” she said. “The current situation is not sustainable.”
She said Sinn Féin has already outlined solutions, including faster recruitment of examiners, increased RSA funding and better planning to match demand.
“Those solutions must now be delivered,” she said. “The people of Dungarvan deserve a driving test service that actually works.”
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