Taking your driving test during COVID-19

It has been announced that the driver testing service will restart during Phase 3 of easing COVID-19 restrictions, beginning the 29th of June. The starting of testing again will be gradual and measures will be put in place to protect staff and customers.

Your driving test during COVID-19 

When is my expired learner permit valid until?

On the 20 April measures were introduced which allowed any learner permit, which was due to expire from 1 March to 30 June, to be extended for four months. That measure is now being extended to any permits due to expire from 1 July to 31 October. For example, a learner permit which expired on 5 March was extended by four months to 5 July 2020 and this will now be further extended to 5 November 2020.

Which test centres are re-opening?

The following test centres will reopen for truck, bus and motorcycle tests week beginning the 29 June:

• Dublin (Dun Laoghaire, Finglas, Mulhuddart)
• Dundalk
• Ennis
• Galway (Carnmore)
• Kilkenny
• Kerry (Tralee, Killarney)
• Limerick (Dock Road)
• Sligo
• Cork (Ballincollig, Mallow)
• Waterford

In the following weeks, all the 52 test centres will open for business.

How long will I have to wait to take my driving test?

The national average waiting time for a driving test, before the suspension of the driving test service on 13 March, was around five/six weeks. The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has committed to maintaining a national average waiting time of 10 weeks.

What measures will protect me from COVID-19 during my driving test?

New rules that will be introduced in the driving test to prevent the spread of COVID-19 include:

• Before appointments are offered those taking the test will be given information about COVID-19
• If a person has symptoms of COVID-19 they should not attend their test and once they inform the RSA of their reason for cancelling the test will be rescheduled for free
• Drivers are asked to make an extra effort to make sure that their vehicle is clean and free from any personal belongings. Having a safe and clean vehicle for the test is important for both customers and driver testers
• Only customers for driving tests can enter the driving test centre. A candidate’s accompanying driver or approved driving instructor must not stay at the test centre while they take the test.
• Driver testers will wear a face mask and test customers will also be asked to wear face masks when attending for their appointment.
• The RSA will initially provide customers with a face mask and alternative arrangement will be put in place to accommodate those who cannot wear a mask
• Hand sanitisers will be available in the test centre
• Customers will be asked to use the hand sanitiser/use hand washing facilities on entry after being called for their test by the driver tester and also when fitting and removing their face mask
• Driver testers will also be carrying wipes and hand sanitisers. Driver testers may wipe down some surfaces on a candidate’s vehicle
• Customers may be asked to keep their windows partially open during the test and are asked to comply with any request to do so in the interest of measures to stop the spread of.  COVID-19
• After each test the driver tester will make sure that all commonly touched surfaces such as door handles and desk surfaces are wiped down with appropriate wipes/cleaner in between tests and all wipes disposed

Read the RSA’s Frequently Asked Questions for Resumption of Driving Test Services June 2020.