Nearly 9 in 10 Irish motorists support making the driving test tougher, according to new Aviva research. But many are worried about longer waiting times and higher costs.
Almost 9 in 10 motorists back plans to shake up Ireland’s driving test – but not without a few nerves, according to new research from Aviva.
The nationwide survey found that a massive 88% of drivers support proposals from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to make the test more realistic. Think higher-speed zones, tougher manoeuvres, and real-world driving conditions. The aim? Better-prepared, safer drivers.
But there’s a catch.
Over half of respondents (53%) worry that making the test harder will mean more people failing – leading to even longer waiting lists for retests (already pushing 24.1 weeks on average). Younger drivers, in particular, fear extra costs from more lessons and repeat tests. No surprise there – there are now nearly 380,000 learner drivers in the country, a 63% jump since 2019.
Still, there’s a strong belief that raising the bar could raise road safety too. Over a third of drivers (37%) believe tougher tests will make for better drivers and safer roads – especially important given the pressure on Ireland’s driving infrastructure.
“It’s clear many drivers feel the test needs a revamp to reflect today’s roads,” said Mike Kavanagh, Manager of Aviva Driving School. “Yes, there are concerns – but the long-term benefits could be worth it.”
So, should the driving test be more challenging? Most say yes – as long as learners aren’t left in the slow lane.
