Over 1,000 Irish learner drivers missed driving tests monthly in summer 2025, fueling calls for reform to end indefinite permit renewals.

A growing number of learner drivers in the Republic of Ireland are missing scheduled driving tests, with over 1,000 no-shows recorded in both July and August 2025—the first time monthly totals have exceeded 1,000 in recent years. The Road Safety Authority reported 1,103 no-shows in August and 1,043 in July, up from 533 in January, with the no-show rate rising to 3.4% in the first eight months of 2025. Road safety advocates blame a loophole allowing indefinite permit renewals without taking the test, with about 56,000 drivers on third or more permits and 11,000 holding permits for 20 years or more. Despite a 17% increase in tests conducted between June and August—helping reduce wait times to 10 weeks—over 2,000 test slots were wasted. Lawmakers and safety groups urge reforms to close the loophole and ensure inexperienced drivers are properly assessed before receiving licenses.