Learner Driver Support Programme

Road Collision data for the first half of 2026 has now been published.

The number of young people between ages 16-25 years killed on the roads is something that needs government action and leadership.

https://www.rsa.ie/docs/default-source/road-safety/r2---statistics/provisional-reviews/rrd_res_20260726_final_v2.pdf?sfvrsn=2437fc74_1

Road Rage, how do you react?

🤬Road rage behind the wheel when supervising a learner? You're not alone! New research shows 10% of UK parents fear they're passing on aggressive driving habits to their kids during private practice. This comes as more families step in to help learners gain experience due to rising costs and limited instructor availability.

Many parents worry about the impact their own driving habits could have on their child's test success, with 57% expressing concern.

🚘Speeding: 18% of parents worry they pass this on.
🚘Road Rage/Aggressive Driving: 10% specifically fear this.
🚘Mirror/Blind Spot Checks: 15% concerned about inconsistent habits.
🚘Poor Parking: 13% of parents worry about this spatial awareness.

It's not just habits – 38% of parents admit to arguing with their child during practice sessions, often over instructions or confidence issues. It highlights the pressure of teaching someone you know so well how to drive!

Remember, consistent, calm guidance is key. Inconsistent advice from home and professional lessons can confuse learners.

Tap to read the full breakdown and see if it affects you: https://www.regit.cars/car-news/one-in-ten-parents-fear-theyre-passing-on-road-rage-while-supervising-learner-drivers

Ballina driving test centre is located at Moy Valley Business Park, Primrose Hill, Ballina, F26 V6E4

It has 1 driver tester. For the year up to May 2026 it averaged 160 tests per month.

The amount of people waiting for a test May 2025 was 439, by May 2026 this had increased to 617.

Estimated wait time was at 18 weeks in May 2025 and reduced to 14 weeks May 2026.

The monthly average driving test pass rate for the year up to May 2026 was 58.67% , the highest average monthly pass rate was recorded in September 2025 at 62.8% and the lowest was 54.4% in January 2026.

The number of driving test not conducted / abandoned between February to May 2026 averaged at 7 per month.

July 2025 recorded the highest no shows for driving test at 10.

https://data.cso.ie/product/RSADTS

Great advice from IAM RoadSmart for people supporting new drivers.

https://search.app/mSVBZxnQmbBYFvnw7

“In reality, once a person has completed their prison sentence, their driving ban may have run its course, meaning that person is free to get behind the wheel of a car as soon as they exit the prison gates.

Disjointed law allows dangerous drivers back on the road immediately after prison release – Murphy - Fine Gael Dangerous drivers who serve prison time for motoring offences should not be allowed drive again immediately after their jail release, a Fine Gael TD has said.

In September 2025 the Road Safety Authority agreed to have the average driving test centre wait time at 10 weeks or lower.

Data from end May 2026 shows that 70% of learner drivers were waiting over 11 weeks for a driving test booking and 11% learner of learner drivers were waiting over 16 weeks for a driving test booking.

https://data.cso.ie/

Yesterday the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) launched their 20th annual PIN report.

https://etsc.eu/20th-annual-road-safety-performance-index-pin-report-copy/

Ireland has seen an increase in road fatalities since 2015 and appears to be falling behind other EU countries in collecting road safety data and adopting the maximum abbreviated injury scale (MAIS3+)