How to Maximise Your Driving Test Success in Ireland

Passing your driving test is a major milestone, opening up new opportunities and providing independence. But, did you know the test centre you choose can significantly impact your chances of success? With a backlog of 68,000 driving tests in Ireland and a wait time of up to 7 months, picking the right centre is more important than ever. The choice of test centre could be the key to finally hitting the road solo, without an instructor or parent nervously gripping the seat. So, which test centres give learners the best chance of success?

Here at Quote Devil, we want to get to the bottom of which test centres steer learner drivers to success based on: monthly pass rates, no-show statistics, number of people applying for a test at each centre, the percentage of tests scheduled by month-end, and average wait times. Additionally, we’ve explored these metrics to uncover which months offer the greatest chances of success.

The best test centres in Ireland

A high pass rate, short wait times, and super-efficient scheduling—sounds like the dream combination for any learner driver, right? But, not all test centres foster the same chances of success. So, which ones truly go the extra mile to help you ace your test?

1. Loughrea, County Galway

Loughrea’s test centre, located in County Galway, takes the crown as the best choice for learner drivers to take their test. With an impressive 64.8% pass rate, the second-highest in the country, this centre gives learners one of the best chances to swap their L plates for full independence behind the wheel.

Handling around 228 test applications per month, this centre excels in efficiency, scheduling an impressive 92% of applications by the end of each month.  This efficiency translates to shorter wait times, with the average applicant waiting just 14.5 weeks between applying and taking their test - over 3 weeks shorter than the Irish average!

2. Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim

Carrick-on-Shannon’s test centre earns second place as one of the top spots for learner drivers, especially for those up north. With a quieter workload than Loughrea, the centre receives an average of 140 applications each month, of which 89.2% are scheduled. This combination of lower application volume and high scheduling efficiency increases the likelihood of securing a test date.

While the wait time here is slightly longer at 17.2 weeks, Carrick-on-Shannon boasts a pass rate of 61.8% - significantly above the national average of 51.7% - offering learners a strong chance of success. So, if you’re willing to wait a bit longer, this test centre is definitely worth it.

3. Clifden, County Galway

Claiming third place is the Clifden test centre in County Galway. With the highest pass rate in the country at an impressive 71.2%, learner drivers here have the best shot at success. Combine that with a low monthly application rate of just 44, and it's clear why Clifden is a top pick for aspiring drivers.

But here’s the catch: despite its lighter workload, only 66.4% of applications are scheduled each month, leading to a longer wait time of 19.3 weeks - nearly 4.5 months. On the upside this centre sees just two no-shows per month, so appointments are rarely wasted. While patience is required, the exceptional pass rate makes Clifden worth the wait for those aiming to pass with flying colours.

Ian O'Reilly from Quote Devil says “While your choice of test centre may have some impact on your chances of passing, it is ultimately your driving ability that will earn you a licence. Collaborating with your driving instructor to build confidence on the road is crucial before attempting the test.”

The worst test centres in Ireland

Long wait lists, constant no-shows and never-ending wait times—some driving test centres can feel like a learner driver’s worst nightmare.

1. Tallaght, County Dublin

Located just outside the capital, Tallaght test centre takes the unenviable title of Ireland’s worst test centre. Its central location makes it a hotspot for applications, with an average of 1,822 submissions per month. To its credit, the centre is impressively efficient, scheduling 99.8% of applications by the end of the month.

But here’s where things go downhill. The sheer volume of applications means that you’ll be waiting almost six months for a test date. And even once you finally get behind the wheel, the odds aren’t in your favour - Tallaght’s 42% pass rate is well below the national average. For many learners, this centre feels less like a pit stop on the road to freedom and more like a roadblock.

2. Wilton, County Cork

Cork’s test centre takes second place on the list of worst driving test centres in the country. While it boasts a slightly higher pass rate than Tallaght at 44.3% and a shorter average wait time of 21.4 weeks, it still struggles with an overwhelming volume of applications that leaves learners waiting far longer than they’d like.

On average, the centre receives 1,407 applications per month, of which 85.4% are scheduled by month’s end. While Cork’s test centre offers marginally better odds of success compared to other locations, the long wait times and below-average pass rate make it a challenging choice for learners.

3. Finglas, County Dublin

Claiming third place is Finglas test centre in County Dublin. Much like Tallaght, its close proximity to the capital makes it a highly sought-after location, with an average of 1,161 applications submitted each month. Despite its high demand, the centre maintains an 85.5% scheduling efficiency, resulting in a comparatively short average wait time of 16.1 weeks.

But don’t let the shorter wait times fool you - there is a catch. The pass rate at the Finglas test centre is just 37.1%, one of the lowest in the country. This leaves learners with a slim chance of securing their licence, so taking your test here might not be worth the gamble.

The best months to take your driving test

Just like selecting the right test centre, the month you choose to take your driving test can also significantly influence your chances of success and how long you’ll have to wait. But which months offer the best odds for learners?

Surprisingly, despite colder and potentially icy conditions, winter takes the crown as the best season to schedule your driving test, with all three top spots claimed by winter months.

January tops the list with the highest pass rate of the year, as instructors pass 53% of learners on average. The new year’s fresh start brings fewer applications, with 15,051 submissions nationwide, making it easier to snag a spot. With 89.4% of applications scheduled, waiting times are relatively short at 15.9 weeks.

December comes in second, with an impressive scheduling efficiency of 106.6%, as test centres tackle the backlog from earlier months to clear the decks before the holidays. This efficiency means more tests are booked than there are applications! While this effective organisation does increase wait times to 17.6 weeks, the festive season also brings fewer no-shows - with just 389 missed appointments across the entire country, compared to October which brings an average of 551 no-shows across the entire country.

Rounding out the top three is February. As applications rise to 6,371, scheduling efficiency dips slightly to 81.5%, but excellent planning in earlier months means wait times are the shortest of the year at just 14.1 weeks.

Spring also proves to be a strong season for learners to secure their licence, with March, April, and May ranking in the top seven. During these months wait times remain consistently low, ranging from 14.5 to 15.4 weeks, offering more opportunity to secure a test date.

Sources and Methodology

To determine which test centres were the best and worst for learner drivers to take their test, the following factors were analysed: