Learner drivers in Armagh, Newry and Craigavon are now waiting more than two months on average for a practical driving test – almost double the official target – new figures show.
According to Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) statistics for August 2026, the average test waiting time at Newry test centre has risen to 66.79 days, while Armagh stands at 64.69 days
Craigavon has seen one of the steepest increases in the region, with waiting times climbing from 34.88 days in March to 69.22 days by August – the longest delay of the three local centres.
The figures all sit well above the DVA’s business plan target of an average 35‑day wait for a practical test.
Newry and Armagh DUP MLA Gareth Wilson said the delays would be a major worry for local learner drivers and accused the Infrastructure Minister of mishandling the introduction of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL), which comes into force on October 1.
Mr Wilson said: “These figures will be deeply concerning for learner drivers across Newry and Armagh who are facing increasingly lengthy delays in securing a practical driving test. Waiting times at both [Armagh and Newry] centres have risen to almost double the Driver and Vehicle Agency’s target.
“The Infrastructure Minister has acknowledged that demand for tests has increased ahead of the introduction of Graduated Driver Licensing. Back in late January, she chose to press ahead with the rollout of GDL with limited notice to all stakeholders, yet learner drivers are now paying the price for a lack of preparation. Higher demand was entirely foreseeable, but instead of being planned for, waiting times have continued to climb month after month.
“For many people, particularly young people seeking work, education or training opportunities, a driving licence is essential. Being forced to wait more than two months for a test is simply unacceptable. Our staff at testing centres do important work, but they are limited by capacity, and the Minister has added to their pressures by rushing to introduce GDL.”
Figures released to the Assembly show that, across the network, overall average waiting times have risen from 37.91 days in March to 61.30 days by August 2026.
At Armagh, the average wait has almost trebled since January, jumping from 20.45 days in January to over 64 days by August Newry has followed a similar pattern, moving from 27.63 days in January to 66.79 days in August, with a particular spike from 52.12 days in March to nearly 67 days by the end of summer.
Craigavon, meanwhile, has seen waiting times surge from 23.73 days in January to more than 69 days by August – among the highest in Northern Ireland.
The Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, has previously said applications for practical tests increased by 10% between February and July 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, following the announcement that GDL would be introduced from October 1.
In an Assembly answer, she said that, despite an increase in tests conducted, “average waiting times have lengthened”, but insisted the DVA “remains committed to reducing driving test waiting times” and still expects to meet its 35‑day average target over the full 2026–27 year.
Measures being used by DVA include recruiting additional examiners – to be deployed from autumn 2026, subject to training – offering overtime, rostering dual‑role examiners, and opening up Sunday and bank holiday test slots where possible [D1 · AQW 51680 22-27.pdf · p.2].
The Minister has also pointed out that existing learner drivers have until 31 March 2027 to pass their test before the new GDL requirements begin to apply to them from 1 April 2027 [D1 · AQW 51680 22-27.pdf · p.2].
However, Mr Wilson said the current position was “cold comfort” for those stuck in the backlog.
“Learner drivers across Newry, Armagh and Craigavon are trying to plan work, training and college around tests that they simply can’t get in a reasonable time,” he added.
“The Minister needs to be upfront about how long these extreme waits will last locally – and what immediate steps she will take to bring them back down.”
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