Four in ten Irish drivers (40%) have delayed applying for their driving test with cost (11%), nerves (9%) and lack of motivation (9%) emerging as the leading barriers.
Almost one in ten (8%) also said they postponed their test due to a lack of time, while the same number admitted they did not see it as a priority, because they could continue driving on a learner permit.
These insights stem from research commissioned by Irish insurance broker Gallagher, which polled 900 drivers nationwide to better understand how quickly learner drivers move to sit their driving test.
Key findings from the Gallagher survey include:
- Half (50%) of learner drivers aged 25–34 said they have delayed taking their driving test, with cost emerging as the biggest barrier for this group, as cited by one in five (18%).
- Drivers aged over 55 were the most likely to say they applied for their test as soon as they were eligible (71%), followed by 61% of those aged 45–54.
- 45% of young adults aged 18–24 said they had delayed their driving test, citing lack of time or being too busy (28% – the highest of any age category).
- Just 4% of respondents said that difficulty securing a driving test appointment was the main reason they delayed applying for their test. However, this rose to 7% among those aged 25–34.
Geraldine Kelly, Head of Personal Lines Insurance at Gallagher commented:
“Driving with a full licence gives motorists a wide range of benefits, including the freedom to drive independently and also the benefit of lower insurance premiums than learners. It’s important to shop around to get the best cover and price at every point of your driving experience but when you first past your test is particularly worthwhile as you will find different insurers quote a wide range of prices. Given this, it’s interesting to learn that so many drivers would delay reaching this driving milestone and the benefits that come with it.
“What stands out from the research is that the barriers are not necessarily what many people might expect. While delays in securing a driving test appointment often dominate the public conversation, relatively few respondents identified this as the main reason for postponing their test. Instead, the findings point more towards personal and financial pressures, with cost, nerves, lack of time and motivation all emerging as key factors.”
Additional Gallagher research findings
- Women were more than twice as likely as men to cite “nerves” as the reason for delaying their test (13% vs 6%).
- Drivers living in Connacht and Ulster were the most likely to delay applying for their driving test (42%), followed closely by Dubliners (41%).
- Respondents living in Munster were the most likely to cite “cost” as a key barrier to sitting their driving test (15%).
Geraldine added: “Delaying the test for an extended period can create challenges down the line. Once learner drivers have completed their mandatory lessons, the guidance and techniques taught by their instructor are still fresh in their minds. Postponing the test for too long can allow learners to forget best practice, which may later prove difficult to remember or correct when preparing for their test.
“There is also increasing pressure on learner drivers to progress through the system. New rules coming into effect in November this year will require learner drivers applying for a third or subsequent learner permit to demonstrate that they have taken a driving test within the previous two years preventing them from renewing learner permits without taking a test . This will mean some long-term learner drivers may ultimately have to restart the learning to drive process entirely at significant financial cost. As one of Ireland’s leading car insurance brokers, Gallagher is here to assist motorists at every stage of their driving journey and insurance needs.”
Gallagher’s top tips for learner drivers
- Apply for your test as soon as you’re eligible: Don’t put it off once you’ve completed your mandatory lessons. Applying early helps keep everything you’ve learned fresh in your mind.
- Make sure you’re properly ready before you sit it: While it’s good to apply early, it’s just as important to feel confident in your driving and be consistently performing at test standard before you go for the test.
- Get your insurance sorted in advance: You’ll need valid insurance for the vehicle you use on the day of your test. If you’re not named on the policy, you’ll also need confirmation from your insurer that you’re covered to drive the car for the test.
- Keep getting regular practice: The more time you spend behind the wheel with a supervisor or experienced driver, the more confident and comfortable you’ll feel in different driving situations.
- Work closely with your instructor: Ask your instructor to point out anything you need to improve and help you fix small habits early, before they become harder to change.
- Practise the kinds of things you’ll be tested on: Things like roundabouts, parking and common junctions come up regularly in the test, so the more familiar they feel, the better.
- Do some focused lessons before your test if you’re nervous: Extra lessons in the lead-up can really help settle nerves and give you more confidence on the day.