Waiting 6 months for driving test?

DJ5831

Hi,

I'm currently on the waiting list to get a test in the Carlow - Talbot Hotel test centre for a car licence. I've been on the waiting list since mid-September and I've heard nothing back from them. When I enter my driver number into the estimator online, it's continuously changing. Checked in September and estimated late November, checked again in late November and it said early January, it's now estimating mid-March. At first I thought the website was being conservative with its estimations but after it keeps getting pushed back, I can only assume that March will come and go with no test date.

Has anybody else gotten their driving test lately and how long did you have to wait? When do people think they'll catch up with demand? Are there any other test centres that don't have such a long backlog? Right now, it's saying that people booking their test now in Carlow can expect their invitation to book a test week starting 30/07/2023.

Thanks.

I can't tell you why

The rsa have not managed their backlog well. They have rehired 30 of the 80 testers that they let go. You should be getting an invite soon.

SamH88

I did my last EDT lesson today so checked the estimated invitation date for Deansgrange/Dun Laoghaire, where I joined the waiting list for back in November so that I could get my third provisional licence, and the estimated date was the 24th of October! Checked a few others and the earliest seemed to be the end of June. You can check the estimated date for each test center on the website.

LouLouBubbles

I did my theory test and got my learners licence last feb. Did the required lessons and waited the punitive 6 months. Applied and paid for test (originally Tallaght, changed to DunLaoghaire) and the RSA estimator 'guesses' i should get an 'invite' to book the test in May. Maybe.

Sure my licence will be out of date by then.

I'll have forgotten all my driving theory, and my lessons ended last September!

It's a frickin' joke.

My instructor told me the other day (I was enquiring about this) that the estimates the RSA give are not always that great and it would be a good shout to ask one locally as they’ll have a good insight themselves.

But also if anyones waiting 6 months or for all lessons they should book their test BEFORE they meet the requirements. In his experience (I have no proof either way so take this with a grain of salt) if you book BEFORE you meet the reqs very shortly after you meet them you will get an invite. Whereas if you make the booking/join the list afterwards you may end up waiting a while.

bassy

Same story here done 15 lessons and completed the EDT and applied in first week of October and it the estimator was saying Jan Feb for test,it is now saying April for test in Carlow,so I hope it's April and not pushed out to June July.

tom traubert

For info of the OP, and last poster above.

My son applied for Carlow also, in mid to late September last. In the last few weeks the estimator was coming back a week at a time from late March, but he was happy out to receive his invitation yesterday and today he booked a date and time in mid March.

Hopefully the OP has already gotten their invitation and the poster above should do so in the next week or so I'd guess.

Good luck to you both.

DJ5831

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120254536#Comment_120254536

I got my invitation to book a few days ago. At first, it was only giving dates in mid-late March. I went onto the MyRoadSafety portal every few hours and it was constantly changing as people canceled etc so I managed to get a date by the end of the month at a good time (try to avoid rush hours etc). Your son should still be able to change his booking if he wants his test sooner.

Just stuck waiting for the day I can spare the test fee tbh!

Been tight since Christmas and the aftermath so haven’t been able to book, I am hoping to soon though! Especially cos I’m fast approaching my 6 month wait anyway and if what I was told my instructor & also what you say I’d be best to get it done before I hit that!

bassy

guys especially from carlow or people who commute through carlow,what would be the best time to have my test as in to avoid busy times in carlow town when sitting the driving test.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120262920#Comment_120262920

Early morning and evening tbh in any large town.

7-10am is busy with work & school traffic & 3-5pm is busy with people coming home. I imagine lunchtime wouldn’t be great either.

thats not specific to carlow as I wouldn’t be terribly familiar but in any town I drive in those specific times often seem particularly busy.

bassy

just to add i got a email to notify me to book my test and i now have it booked for early april.

any hints or tips on my big day coming ?.

is the fail rate really that bad in carlow,i have heard carlow is the worst county in ireland with the highest fail rate.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120346203#Comment_120346203

Just remember that the driving test is a process and treat it that way.

Take every road on its own merit and drive that road correctly looking for signs, lights and markings.

Get into the rhythm of positioning correctly at junctions both left and right. Find roads in your area with roundabouts and practice on them.

best advice I got when passing my test was that train yourself to check your mirrors every time that tester opens his mouth no matter what he says.

words = check mirrors.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120346306#Comment_120346306

This + I highly recommend asking your instructor if they do mock tests as they can be a handy way to find out where you need to improve and practice!