FF TD thinks learners should be allowed drive unaccompanied...

Not that outlandish when you consider that accompanied driving has only been a thing for the last seven years.

I'd say most contributors to this forum were able to drive unaccompanied whilst on a provisional license.

This is nothing but a smokescreen to secure local votes because the waiting times to do the driving test are at an all-time high and the Government are doing nothing to reduce it.

Speed restricted how? Can't seem to find anything that states what the proposal actually is, sounds unworkable and dangerous regardless.

How about an ebike to get around instead of a car driven illegally? Far more practical for 99% of the normal sub 4km car journey and no laws broken.

I am sure this is just a sound bite in response to driving test waiting times. Got extremely lucky myself with a cancellation but I wonder if the government would reconsider the law as a way to save on Garda resources considering the waiting lists are shocking.

Mind you it’s the same for all waiting lists in Ireland. They just seem to endlessly grow.

why do we allow private companies take on public jobs and make complete messes? Are there no penalties or incentives. Both driving testing and the nct system are completely broken. Next available bookable nct test in cork is august!

The TD's suggestion is not intended to be a solution to the driving test waiting list. If learner drivers can drive unaccompanied then the length of the driving test waiting time would be more palatable and less vocal with joe public. It would kick the can a bit further down the road.

cycling would only be a solution for those distances if there were adequate shower/changing facilities and secure bike parking at the end destination - things which i doubt most colleges (and businesses for that matter) have even one of, let alone both

Having learners subject to a lower speed is effectively making everyone else get stuck behind them and promotes risky overtakes on the very rural roads this guy is talking about.

When I did my test 20+ years ago the waiting list was around 9 months. People applied for driving test shortly after receiving their provisional to get on the waiting list. 10 weeks isn’t the end of the world. A small percentage would only have things change that would require a license asap. No planning for the future that maybe I’ll need a license in 6-12 months so I’ll start the process now instead of actually I need it tomorrow

Galway, Tallaght and Navan are over 40 weeks wait lists, so if you apply now you're looking at February or March 2026

There seems to be a few. Enough that somebody has developed an app that will scan for cancellations and alert you. Costs €100 for each cancellation you accept.

Memory is a bit foggy so bear with me …

Got my first driving licence at 17 ( birthday present from folks with a few lessons from an instructor)

Went to collage shortly after that and didnt sit behind a wheel for another 4 or 5 years.

Got the second provisional and I was entitled to drive unnacompanied. Waiting test times in Wicklow where I lived at the time were 13 months plus. I got a few informal lessons from my brother in law and drove the lenght and breath of the country on the provisional ( not saying that was right or wrong - but that was the way it was back then, the whole coutry was at it) Only got more lessons from an instructor on the lead up to the test. Subsequently failed on 2 many minors and drove home.

Fairly sure i had to get a third provsional at that point ( and seem to recall you could only apply if you had taken a test)

Waited another year for a test ( driving unaccompanied ) and then passed.

The difference now is that learners at least are going through a structured system of theory and practical instructions.

They are in my opinion far more suited to drive unaccompanied then I was in hindsight.

If you are eligible to take a test after 12 lessons but cant through no fault of your own , should you be punished for it?

And as I have said / asked before - does a licenced driver sitting beside a learner make them magically safer on the road?