Although most people are no longer wearing masks or social distancing, the impact of coronavirus is still being felt here in Northern Ireland. And nowhere is this more obvious than the motoring world: following the freeze on driving tests and MOTs over lockdowns, both are now facing catastrophic delays, with many having to wait months to test their car or driving skills.
Back in 2021, the DVA predicted that the backlog might not be cleared until the end of 2022, but here we are in 2024 and there appears to be no end in sight, with learners still complaining that they are having to wait weeks and even months before they can sit their test.
This has been a frustrating couple of years for learners, and doubly so if you were planning on using your car for a job or to get yourself to and from university.
It’s not all bad news, thankfully. When we got in touch with the DVA to find out which test centres had been hit the hardest, they acknowledged the long waiting times and explained a little about what they were doing to help ease them. A spokesperson said: “We are in the process of recruiting new full time driving examiners who on successful completion of their training will be allocated to test centres from late March 2024 onwards.”
As the DVA continues to try to get through the backlog, we thought it could be useful to provide you with an insight into the test centres with the best and worst waiting times so you can find out how your area is affected – and whether there are any centres nearby that could help you swap your L plates for R plates more quickly.
Antrim
Average waiting time: 66.39 days (9.48 weeks)
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that Antrim, the most populous county in Northern Ireland, has one of the highest average waiting times in the country, beaten only by county Down. Your best choice in the area is Newry, which has an average waiting time of roughly 7.71 weeks (53.95 days).
If you don’t mind travelling outside of Antrim, Armagh or Craigavon are the best options nearby, with an average waiting time of 6.41 weeks (44.90 days) and 6.68 weeks (46.78 days) respectively.
- Ballymena: 57.41 days (8.20 weeks)
- Balmoral, Belfast: 69.05 days (9.86 weeks)
- Dill Road, Belfast: 74.90 days (10.70 weeks)
- Larne: 68.66 days (9.81 weeks)
- Lisburn: 74.37 days (10.62 weeks)
- Newry: 53.95 days (7.71 weeks)
Armagh
Average waiting time: 45.84 days (6.55 weeks)
Learners in county Armagh face an average waiting time of 6.55 weeks (45.84 days). Compared to the waiting times in other regions, this isn’t terrible – but, of course, it’s not ideal when you’ve been feeling driving test ready for ages. There isn’t much difference between the driving test centre in Armagh and the one in Craigavon; the former beats the latter by just under two days.
Unfortunately the other options around Armagh aren’t much better, so we would recommend keeping an eye on the booking website for cancellations.
- Armagh – 44.90 days (6.41 weeks)
- Craigavon – 46.78 days (6.68 weeks)
Down
Average waiting time: 67.28 days (9.61 weeks)
If you live in county Down, there’s an average waiting time of 9.60 weeks, which is the highest in the country. The test centre in Downpatrick is the worst out of the bunch, with an waiting time of approximately 12.15 weeks (85.02 days), and Lisburn isn’t much better (approximately 10.62 weeks, or 74.37 days).
Waiting times in Newry and Newtownards are positively short compared to these two options, with the former having a wait of 7.71 weeks (53.95 days) and the latter a wait of around 8 weeks (55.78 days).
There aren’t many decent options nearby, so keep an eye out for cancellations as this will probably be your best bet.
- Downpatrick – 85.02 days (12.15 weeks)
- Lisburn – 74.37 days (10.62 weeks)
- Newry – 53.95 days (7.71 weeks)
- Newtownards – 55.78 days (7.97 weeks)
Fermanagh
Average waiting time: 35.49 days (5.07 weeks)
Enniskillen is your only option in Fermanagh, but thankfully the test centre has the second shortest wait – an average of 35.49 days (approximately 5.07 weeks).You’ll be pleased to know that Omagh, the nearest test centre to Fermanagh county, has the shortest waiting time in Northern Ireland (approximately 4.69 weeks, or 32.84 days), so if you’re still struggling to book your test this could be a good option.
- Enniskillen – 35.49 days (5.07 weeks)
Londonderry
Average waiting time: 45.61 days (6.52 weeks)
If you live in Londonderry, you’ll likely have to wait just over six weeks (45.61 days on average) to book your test. The test centre in Altnagelvin is the slightly better option, with an average wait time of approximately 6.15 weeks (43.05 days) compared to Coleraine’s 6.88 weeks (48.16 days). Note that the Newbuildings test centre only conducts car and trailer tests rather than car tests.
- Altnagelvin – 43.05 days (6.15 weeks)
- Coleraine – 48.16 days (6.88 weeks)
Tyrone
Average waiting time: 53.17 days (7.60 weeks)
County Tyrone is home to the test centre with the shortest waiting time: if you live in or near Omagh, you should only need to wait a little over a month (32.84 days) before you can take your driving test. This is less than half the time you’d have to wait if you were to take your test in Cookstown, which has an average waiting time of 10 and a half weeks (73.50 days).
- Cookstown – 73.50 days (10.50 weeks)
- Omagh – 32.84 days (4.69 weeks)
Is there anything else I can do to help book my test?
Your driving instructor is an invaluable resource when it comes to booking your test as they will be more clued up on the driving test landscape. It’s also worth asking them if they would be willing to allow you to take your test in a different centre if you’re able to find one with more available slots.
This should be a worst-case option only as it’s almost always best to book your test in the area where you’ve been learning. This is because your driving instructor will have likely taken you out on some of the routes used in the driving test, meaning you’ll be more familiar with the roads and their rules when you sit your practical.
That’s not to say that you shouldn’t take your test in a different location, but it might be worth going for a few drives in the area before your test or trying to find a location with road types that you’re already familiar with.
Another way young NI drivers have found success is by checking for cancellations using the DVA booking system. Many learners have had luck with checking each morning for cancellations. Just make sure you’re driving test ready before you do this as many people cancel their tests last minute, so you could find that you end up sitting your test the very next day. We’d also recommend running the date past your instructor before booking as you’ll need them to attend the driving test with you if you’re planning to use their car on the big day.
What can I do while I wait?
We understand how frustrating it must be to have to wait around to take your driving test, especially when you’re ready to take it. We’ve partnered with the creators of FourFive to help bring you a learner driver app that’s packed full of helpful tips, guides and features to help you maintain your driving skills so that, when you’re able to book your test, you can pass first time.
Available on the Apple and Play Stores, the FourFive Learner Driver app includes plenty of helpful information to help you pass first time, including tons of official DVSA theory test questions, practice quizzes, and access to exclusive masterclasses led by driving instructors.
The app has also been designed to help you keep track of your driving lessons and private practice sessions so you can keep a record of the manoeuvres you’ve practised, as well as any you might still need to perfect. Download the app and find out more on the FourFive page.
Learner driver insurance from Sterling NI
We’re sure you’re eager to keep taking to the road while you wait to take your driving test. It’s paramount that you get the right insurance for this when you’re learning with family or friends. We offer short and long-term learner driver insurance for private practice sessions so you can get cover for the period leading up to your test. We also offer young driver insurance for when you undoubtedly pass!
Data, supplied by the DVA, correct as of March 2024.
