Laois TD Sean Fleming has hit out at the “unacceptable” waiting list for people doing their driving test in Laois.
The Fianna Fáil TD has obtained new information from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) which shows that learner drivers in Laois are being forced to wait up to 29 weeks before being able to take a driving test.
This is the longest waiting list for any test centre in Ireland. There are currently 1,076 learner drivers waiting to take a driving test in Portlaoise.
Deputy Fleming has called on the Minister for Transport to make additional resources available to the RSA to help clear the backlog of people waiting to access a driving test at the Portlaoise test centre.
Deputy Fleming said, “The RSA has committed to maintain an average test waiting time of no more than 10 weeks across the country.
“However new information shows that this target is simply not being met in Laois as people are being forced to wait up to 29 weeks to access a driving test.
“This is clearly unacceptable and the Minister must take action.
“The Minister for Transport is attempting to introduce new measures which penalise parents for the actions of their children who drive unaccompanied without a full licence.
“I believe it would be more beneficial for the Minister to ensure that the unacceptably long waiting lists for driving tests are dealt with first.”
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