Latest Laois News: Call to fast track Remote Theory Testing to reduce Laois backlog

Laois Labour Representative Eoin Barry has received figures that show 1710 Laois applicants are awaiting an appointment for a Driver Theory Test and reiterated his call to fast-track remote testing for those applicants. 

“It’s vital that remote theory testing is fast tracked to ease the backlog and pressure on those who are awaiting theory tests,” said Mr Barry, who received the figures from his Labour Party colleague Deputy Seán Sherlock. 

“The longer we go without clearing this backlog, the harder it will be long term. The majority of these people are young and given public transport capacity limits cannot be left to twist in the wind. We now need urgent intervention through remote testing from the Minister and the RSA”

In Portlaoise 767 Driver Theory Test appointments have been scheduled for March while the corresponding figure for April is 594. That figure of 1361 for just those two months places the Portlaoise centre in the ‘top six’ busiest testing centres in the country.

According to Declan Naughton, Director of of Driver Testing and Licensing in the RSA,

“The driver theory test does not operate a waiting list in the conventional sense; it offers appointment slots which are then taken up by eligible customers. The driver theory test Service has 54,313 candidates currently booked with a confirmed appointment for a theory test between 6 March 2021 and 31 November 2021, details are set out in the Table in the Appendix below. The RSA will be working with the service to increase capacity in the coming months to make additional appointment slots available for those whose tests were cancelled during Covid19 Level 5 restrictions.”

“Candidates that wish to book a theory test can do so by visiting www.theorytest.ie and can view schedule of available appointments.”