Clare people have to wait between sixteen and twenty weeks to sit their driving test according to the latest data from the Road Safety Authority.

Ennis and Shannon both recorded 27 weeks as the longest waiting time for a driving test, while the average waiting time in each area is currently 16.5 and 19.5 weeks respectively.

In a motion to Clare County Council’s January meeting, Cllr PJ Ryan requested “Minister for Transport, Shane Ross would immediately take action to ensure that nobody has to wait any longer then 6-8 weeks for a driving test and furthermore anybody that has taken a driving test and failed on minor faults should be allowed to drive unaccompanied provided they reapply for a new test immediately.”

He put forward the motion following “several representations over the last few weeks regarding the driving test”. Ryan stated, “In the Shannon area there is a wait of 18-20 weeks, I recently came across someone who came out of college, their parents insured their car, he has no money to go to work and has communicated with RSA every second day and cannot sit the test. In Ennis it is 19 weeks, when you’re talking about four or five months it is absolutely crazy. There a lot of young people who spend their time getting educated and then try to get a car coming out of college. If a young person comes along and fails the test on minor faults, they should be allowed drive unaccompanied provided they apply straight away. This young person has a job got and can’t get to work. 27 weeks waiting for a test in the Shannon area is crazy”.

Referring to RSA television advertisements on the dangers of unaccompanied drivers, the Independent councillor said, “There has been a lot of talk with unaccompanied drivers, the ads are riveting but we need to support young people and look after them. We could make their licence valid between 8 in the morning and 8 in the evening or govern their speed to 60km/hr”.

Fianna Fáil’s Pat McMahon felt there was little progress in reducing the waiting lists by Minister Ross. “We know young people who have come out of university or have got promotions in jobs where they cannot get to work from where they live, it’s possible some of them will have to break the law to get to work, they either have to move to the cities or emigrate. It is totally irresponsible the way they treat young people, guys or girls having come through secondary schools, apprenticeships or third level it is very unfair to have such a wait. The waiting list seems to be getting longer not shorter”.

Shannon councillor Gerry Flynn told Ryan the second part of the motion was “irresponsible”. “I have no problem in supporting the first part of the motion but statistics have stated quite clearly unaccompanied drivers have a higher risk of putting drivers at risk and so I cannot support the second part of this motion”. Ryan replied, “I’m not being irresponsible, I’m trying to point out that we can’t condemn everybody who’s been involved in accidents. Just because it was an unaccompanied driver there has been a lot of talk about it”.

Cathaoirleach Michael Begley questioned if Cllr Ryan wanted to just submit the first part of the motion, to which he answered, “If I thought it would make any difference, I would reluctantly remove second part. I did say minor faults”. Cllr Gerry Flynn reminded Ryan that despite minor faults it was still a failure, “There are too many deaths caused on our roads by unaccompanied drivers” as he repeated he would not be supporting the motion if the second part remained and he was supported by Cllr Johnny Flynn.

“It would be putting a huge onus on the road tester who is going to adjudicate on what a minor failure is. Rather than spend anymore time on it, we should have a vote on it”, Cathaoirleach Begley declared.

Only nine elected representatives were present for the vote and the motion was passed five votes to four. Councillors PJ Ryan, Pat McMahon, Tom McNamara, Michael Begley and Bill Chambers voted in favour with councillors Gerry Flynn, Johnny Flynn, Paul Murphy and Christy Curtin voting against it.

Related News

01052025_Council_Cliffs_of_Moher_0059
Rita represented West Clare 'with integrity & dignity' during term as Cathaoirleach
natasha o'brien 1
'I'd rather be difficult than be silent' - Natasha determined to speak out
Shannon Airport (2)
'National Development Plan a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebalance regional development' - Shannon Airport Group
ennis homecoming 22-07-24 marty morrissey alan o'callaghan 2
'It was a year full of everything' - O'Callaghan looks back on term as Mayor of Clare

Advertisement

Latest News
Shannon Airport (2)
'National Development Plan a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebalance regional development' - Shannon Airport Group
waterford v clare minor 28-06-25 tommy kennedy ian o'brien ger o'connell 1
All-Ireland final defeat won't overshadow year for Clare minors
ennis homecoming 22-07-24 marty morrissey alan o'callaghan 2
'It was a year full of everything' - O'Callaghan looks back on term as Mayor of Clare
jarlath burns 1-2
GAA President Burns to maintain Scariff Harbour Festival's links with Northern Ireland & GAA
michael mcnamara 3
AI offers generational opportunity for Mid-West to become Ireland's digital home - McNamara
Premium
ennis homecoming 22-07-24 marty morrissey alan o'callaghan 2
'It was a year full of everything' - O'Callaghan looks back on term as Mayor of Clare
1 DSC_9466
'There's no way we're not going to go again' - O'Donnell says no decisions made but exits from Clare camp unlikely
brendan o'mara
Two Gardaí working full-time on case of €10m drug seizure involving Meelick ex Ryanair pilot
charge sheet 1
Ennistymon farmer tears up charge sheet in front of Garda where he is accused of year long harassment of neighbour
monaghan v clare 29-06-25 roisin considine jennifer duffy 1
Monaghan make their mark & send Clare out of ladies football championship

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Advertisement