Testing delays blamed as Dublin learner numbers grow

There were more than 121,000 learner permit holders on Dublin’s roads at the end of March this year, according to newly released figures that have reignited criticism of Ireland’s driver testing system.

Data obtained from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) under Freedom of Information legislation shows there were 121,127 learner permit holders in Dublin on March 31, 2026, an increase of 2,262 compared to the same date last year.

Nationally, the number of learner drivers reached 388,090, up by 6,219 in 12 months and the highest figure recorded in recent years.

The figures were released to the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), which claims the growing number of learner drivers reflects ongoing problems with driving test backlogs and delays within the system.

The number of learner permit holders has risen sharply since the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2020, there were 255,142 learner drivers on Irish roads.

By the end of March this year, that figure had increased by more than 130,000.

According to the IRHA, more than one in ten drivers on Irish roads is now driving on a learner permit.

IRHA President Ger Hyland said the figures raise concerns about road safety at a time when road deaths remain a major issue.

“As of June 3, Garda figures show that 73 people had lost their lives on Irish roads, six more than on the same date in 2025,” he said.

“The levels of inexperienced learner drivers on our roads beggars belief at a time when road deaths are climbing.”

Hyland argued that the continued growth in learner permit numbers demonstrates that the driver testing system is failing to keep pace with demand.

“388,090 inexperienced learner drivers on our roads is a testament to the failure of the Road Safety Authority and their mismanagement of our driver testing system,” he said.

The haulage association also pointed to Garda enforcement figures showing that 11,621 fixed charge notices were issued in 2025 to learner drivers caught driving without a fully licensed accompanying driver. That was an increase of more than 10 per cent on the previous year.

Hyland said the increase may indicate that some learner drivers are taking the risk of driving unaccompanied because of difficulties accessing employment, education or services.

The figures also provide an insight into the age profile of learner drivers.

The largest group nationally was aged between 30 and 39, accounting for 95,868 learner permit holders. A further 81,538 learner drivers were aged between 17 and 20.

At the other end of the scale, 462 learner permit holders were aged over 80.

Dublin remains home to by far the largest number of learner drivers in the country, with Cork ranking second at 42,810 learner permit holders.

The RSA has previously said that significant efforts have been made to reduce waiting times and increase testing capacity following the disruption caused by the pandemic. However, critics argue that the latest figures suggest demand continues to outstrip the system’s ability to process applicants quickly.

The latest data comes amid continuing debate over road safety, driver education and the length of time many learner drivers spend waiting to complete their driving tests.