RSA aims to tackle driving test backlog by hiring almost 100 new testers

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has begun a recruitment campaign for seventy five additional driver testers. 

That's according to the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, and the Minister of State with responsibility for road safety, Mr Jack Chambers TD, who yesterday (April 11) announced the news. 

The new hires will reportedly bring the potential total number of testers to over 200 and address the current backlog in the Driver Testing Service. 

It is in addition to the 30 extra testers previously sanctioned in July 2022 and who have been fully deployed since end of March 2023. 

With these new testers in place, Irish learners will see improvements in their waiting times and the RSA expect the backlog of applicants to be returned to target customer service levels by the end of the first quarter of 2024. 

According to the Department of Transport, applications for driving tests in 2022 were 28% higher than 2021 levels and 27% up on 2018 pre-Covid pandemic levels.

Speaking today, Minister Ryan said, "I am delighted to confirm that the RSA has received sanction to hire up to 75 additional driver testers to address the backlog that has arisen due to unprecedented demand in the driver testing service. 

"These additional testers will enable the RSA to begin reversing the growing backlog. It is important to recognise that there are no quick fixes or easy solutions, but my Department will continue to keep the situation under review." 
 
Minister of State Chambers said, "This approval for new testers for the RSA is a positive and proactive response to an ongoing problem within the Driver Testing Service across the state. By increasing the number of driver testers, the RSA can provide the testing service they are committed to delivering and a quality service each customer deserves. I would like to thank the public who have been patient while we manage these demand pressures on the service.

"The progress made in the driver testing service will be carefully monitored, and the RSA will work to provide as many tests as possible as safely as possible.”
 
CEO of the Road Safety Authority, Sam Waide, said, "I welcome this decision by the Ministers and would like to thank my colleagues for their support and dedication over this challenging period. Our team have worked very hard to support applicants during this busy time. We look forward to working with these new staff to bring our Driver Testing service to normal levels." 

The open recruitment campaign is currently live. 

New testers are expected to be ready to work from October of this year.