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Learner Drivers

Waiting times for driving tests

When will I get a driving test appointment? 

Use our online tool to estimate when you will be invited to book a car driving test. If you're already on the waiting list and eligible to sit your test, just click on the button below. If you're not yet eligible, you can also view the average waiting time (for an invitation) by test centre.

Estimate my waiting time

 

driving test estimator

Why is the estimator not showing me a date?

The estimator tool is for cars only.​ For non-car category driving tests, you can expect a booking invitation within 8 to 10 weeks of applying.

In some centres, the demand for motorbike or car & trailer driving tests is high, leading to longer waiting times. We are working to reduce these backlogs as quickly as possible and appreciate your patience.

Did you apply for your driving test more than two weeks ago? *

The estimator tool is updated every two weeks so the system may not have captured your application information yet. Please try again later.

Are you on the waiting list for a driving test? *

Please sign up or log into MyRoadSafety to add yourself to the driving test waiting list. 

This video will show you how


Did you enter your driver number and date of birth correctly? *

Check your driver number, located at 4(d) on your learner permit, and ensure it and your date of birth are entered correctly when using the waiting time estimator

Also, watch out for any typos or blank spaces.

Are you eligible to sit a driving test? *

To sit a driving test, you need:

- A valid learner permit and if it's your first, you must have held it for a minimum of 6 months. 

- To have completed all Essential Driver Training (EDT) and this must be showing in your MyEDT portal account.

Have you completed your EDT more than two weeks ago? *

The estimator tool is updated every two weeks so the system may not have captured your latest information yet. Please log into your MyEDT portal account to make sure all of your completed training sessions are showing and are correct.

Have you previously received an invitation to book a test? *

Please sign up or log into your MyRoadSafety account and go to the 'My Messages' page. Here you will see any previous booking invitation(s) from us.

If you previously received a booking invitation from us and didn't choose a test slot at the time, you need to complete this form to re-add yourself to the invitation queue. 

Have you failed your test and reapplied? *

The estimator will not show a date for retest applications. You will automatically receive another email invitation to book a re-test 6 to 8 weeks after your unsuccessful test.  This may take longer in centres with high demand.

Please get in touch with a member of our customer care team on (096) 25000 who will be able to offer further assistance.

Frequently asked questions

If you failed your car  test and reapplied, there's no need to contact us. We will automatically send you another invitation 6 to 8 weeks after your failed test.  This may take longer in some centres with high demand.  

Important: Our customer agents can't offer short notice re-tests or cancellations so please wait for your invitation.

If you failed your test in another category (e.g. bike, bus, truck) and have since reapplied, we will invite you to book a re-test as soon as we reach your application in the queue.

Please note, the estimator tool won't show a date for re-tests or non-car categories.

Yes, of course, but you will need to fill in this online form first. Once completed, this adds you back on to the queue at the point when your last invitation expired.

No. We cannot facilitate requests for earlier driving test appointments for any individual, under any circumstances. We operate a fair and transparent appointment scheduling process and it's only fair that those who are eligible and have been waiting the longest would be offered a test first. If you are employed by the HSE, a private hospital or the emergency services and need to drive as part of your job (not including commuting to your place of work) then we may prioritise your application.

In the interest of fairness, driving test appointment invitations will be issued in the following order:

  1. Critical frontline workers: priority customers whose request for an emergency test has been accepted.
  2. Re-tests: customers who have failed their test and reapplied. There’s a 6 to 8 week gap between failing your test and being invited for a retest. 
  3. Eligibility and application date: the earlier a customer applied, the sooner they will get an appointment, provided they were eligible to sit a test at the time they applied.

Customers invited to book a test have 10 days to select an appointment. If they're not ready to sit a test, they can hold off booking and re-add themselves to the invitation queue at a later stage.

How we determine your place in the driving test queue

The invitation date is the date you can expect to receive an invitation from us to book your driving test appointment. The test date is the date of your actual driving test appointment.

Please note that the invitation date is only an estimate, and we cannot offer any guarantees due to factors outside our control, e.g., weather conditions. 

The invitation estimator tool is for cars only.  If you've applied for a vehicle category other than a car test, you can expect a booking invitation usually within 10 to 12 weeks.  However, in some centres, the demand for motorbike or car and trailer driving tests is high, leading to longer waiting times. 

If you have not yet received your booking invitation, there is no need to contact us.  We will email you as soon as we've reached your application in the queue. 

Yes. The estimator tool calculates your waiting time based on the current demand at your chosen test centre. That demand can increase or decrease, depending on a number of factors such as driver tester availability, test centre closures due to severe weather etc.

No, but your place in the queue will depend on where your application sits relevant to all others waiting at that centre.
No. If you had to cancel your test due to Covid-19 symptoms, don’t worry, you will hold your place in the queue and your fee has been saved.