Armagh driving test wait reaches 64 days as local centres fall far behind DVA target

Learner drivers in Armagh are facing an average wait of more than two months for a practical driving test, according to new Driver and Vehicle Agency figures, with the local delay now almost twice the agency’s official target.

The figures for August 2026 show an average waiting time of 64.69 days at Armagh test centre. Newry recorded an average wait of 66.79 days, while Craigavon had the longest delay of the three centres at 69.22 days.

All three figures are well above the DVA’s business-plan target of an average 35-day wait for a practical test. The latest figures were released to the Assembly and cover a period in which demand for tests increased ahead of the planned introduction of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL).

Armagh wait has almost trebled since January

Armagh’s average waiting time has risen sharply during 2026. The January figure was 20.45 days, meaning the August wait of more than 64 days was almost three times as long.

Newry’s average increased from 27.63 days in January to 66.79 days in August. At that centre, the wait rose from 52.12 days in March to nearly 67 days by the end of the summer.

Craigavon also recorded a steep increase, climbing from 23.73 days in January to more than 69 days in August. Its average wait rose from 34.88 days in March to 69.22 days in August, the longest delay among the three local centres.

Across the wider testing network, the average waiting time rose from 37.91 days in March to 61.30 days in August 2026.

MLA warns of impact on work, education and training

Newry and Armagh DUP MLA Gareth Wilson said the delays would be a major concern for learner drivers in the area. He linked the increase to the introduction of GDL, which is due to come into force on October 1.

“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.”

Mr Wilson said demand had increased ahead of the new licensing system and criticised Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins for proceeding with the rollout with limited notice to stakeholders.

“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.”

He said access to a driving licence was particularly important for young people seeking employment, education or training, and argued that testing-centre staff were being placed under additional pressure because of limited capacity.

“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.”

DVA measures and transitional deadline

The Infrastructure Minister has previously said applications for practical tests rose 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, Ms Kimmins said that the number of tests conducted had increased but that “average waiting times have lengthened”. She also said the DVA remained committed to reducing delays and expected to meet its 35-day average target over the full 2026–27 year.

Measures being used by the DVA include recruiting additional examiners, who are due to be deployed from autumn 2026 subject to training. The agency is also offering overtime, rostering examiners who work in dual roles, and opening Sunday and bank-holiday test appointments where possible.

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.

Mr Wilson said that timetable offered little reassurance to people currently waiting for an appointment.

“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.”