Driving test delays in Kildare lambasted by local activist

Driving test delays in County Kildare have been criticised by a local activist.

James Stokes, Sinn Féin Area Representative for Newbridge, yesterday (August 13 last) criticised the government for their repeated failure to deal with the growing backlog in driving tests.

His comments follow the release of new figures for the Naas Driving Test Centre.

As pointed out by Mr Stokes, the centre currently has:

• 1,259 applicants already scheduled for a test date
• 3,312 applicants waiting for a slot
• 2,473 applicants paused after not using an invitation to book within 10 days
• 1,564 applicants not yet eligible to sit their test
• 8,608 applicants in the system overall

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He also said that these figures are "shocking".

Mr Stokes elaborated: "Over 3,300 people in our area are stuck waiting for a driving test slot, with many forced to wait months.

"In some cases across the State, learner drivers are waiting almost a year to sit their test; this is an absolute scandal."

He also asserted that Sinn Féin has repeatedly put forward solutions.

According to Mr Stokes, these proposals include:

• Increasing resources in the system to meet demand
• Expediting and expanding the recruitment of driving test instructors
• Addressing gaps in test centre locations and capacity

He also claimed: "In February, Sinn Féin brought forward proposals to fix this crisis.

"The government didn’t oppose them, but they’ve ignored them ever since, but instead of action, we get empty promises while waiting lists spiral out of control."

He continued: "The Minister for Transport and the Road Safety Authority must treat this issue with the urgency it deserves.

"For many in Kildare, driving is not a luxury, it’s essential for work, college, and daily life.

"This crisis is holding people back, and it will only get worse if Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael continue with business as usual.”

"This is yet another example, just like housing, healthcare, and the cost of living, where the government’s failure to plan and resource properly has real consequences for ordinary people."

Mr Stokes concluded by affirming that his party would "keep fighting for the political will, ambition, and resourcing needed to fix this once and for all".

James Stokes, Sinn Féin (Photograph supplied)

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