Fine Gael TD Emer Currie has called for the loophole allowing learner drivers to repeatedly renew permits without ever sitting a test to be “dealt with.”
At present, learner drivers can continually renew their permit by sending the Road Safety Authority proof that they have applied for a driving test or that they are on a list for a driving test.
Currie noted that there is currently no rule which can prevent a learner driver from applying for their test, receiving a third or subsequent permit, and then not attending the test.
According to the RSA, 56,000 people are on their third or more learner permits.
Currie said that Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, previously said that once the RSA meets the ten-week waiting time goal, he will implement a ban on learner drivers applying for multiple permits.
While waiting times are down from 27 weeks, Currie said that closing the learner permit loophole would help reduce the times even further.
“In my view, a test should be implemented for anyone applying for their third or fourth provisional licence. At that stage they have had four years on the road as a learner,” Currie noted.
“In addition to this being a road safety issue, too many learner drivers are applying for tests but failing to show up while continuing to renew their permits. It is a serious safety risk when inexperienced drivers are repeatedly avoiding their tests. Road safety should be our main priority, even one fatality is one too many.”
Per Currie, there were 8,863 no-shows in 2024 alone, with the trend continuing into June; there were 699 no-shows in June of this year.
“While it’s positive to see the Department has indicated that regulations are being prepared and the RSA is finalising an implementation plan, we need to see action now,” she said.
“The Minister has outlined that he wants to introduce a ‘three strikes and you’re off the road’ rule, and that the regulation is ready but was held back until waiting times fell to ten weeks.
“We have reached the point where driving test waiting times have reduced significantly, and the Minister must act immediately and implement the regulations; road safety cannot wait any longer,” the Dublin West TD said.