How Learner Drivers Can Boost Their Driving Test Success in Ireland

Passing your driving test is often seen as a major life milestone, with a full licence marking the reward for months of preparation and offering a new sense of independence. However, the chances of securing a test, and passing it, can vary depending on where you live, as performance differs widely between test centres. With an estimated 140,000 Irish learner drivers currently on at least their second learner permit, simply getting a test slot can be a challenge in itself.

So where are the best, and most difficult, places in Ireland to take your driving test? To find out, Chill Insurance analysed data across several key metrics from 2025, including average monthly pass rates, no-show figures, application and scheduling volumes, and average waiting times. We then looked at all the data available, from 2021, to identify which months of the year offer learner drivers the strongest chances of success.

The Best Driving Test Centres in Ireland

Choosing a test centre with a high pass rate, shorter waits, and efficient scheduling can make the path to your driving licence much smoother. Not all centres offer the same experience, and your chances of success can vary depending on where you book.

Galway stands out, with several top-performing centres such as Clifden, Loughrea, and Tuam combining strong pass rates, low no-show levels, and manageable wait times. For learners willing to be flexible about location, these centres offer a quicker, less stressful route to passing your test.

Rank	Test Centre	Avg Monthly Pass Rate (%)	No. of No-Shows Per Month	No. of Driving Test Applications	No. of Driving Test Applications Scheduled	Driving Test Wait Times (weeks)
1	Thurles, Co. Tipperary	70.4	4.6	147.8	127.8	15.6
2	Clifden, Co. Galway	67.9	2.1	54.7	33.2	16.7
3	Loughrea, Co. Galway	63.9	6.8	265.0	222.9	13.1
4	Shannon, Co. Clare	66.4	3.6	105.4	94.3	16.8
5	Tuam, Co. Galway	61.2	6.4	291.4	204.3	12.1
6	Monaghan, Co. Monaghan	63.5	3.9	160.3	134.0	15.8
7	Kilrush, Co. Clare	62.4	2.0	88.9	42.1	16.3
8	Donegal, Co. Donegal	58.4	4.5	180.3	140.4	15.3
9	Newcastle West (Longcourt House Hotel), Co. Limerick	59.2	3.7	138.9	121.1	16.4
10	Buncrana, Co. Donegal	60.9	2.6	102.9	100.9	18.2

1. Thurles, Co. Tipperary

Thurles stands out as the top-performing driving test centre, with the highest average monthly pass rate at 70.4%. It also maintains relatively low no-show figures and a steady flow of applications, suggesting an efficient and well-managed testing process. While wait times sit at just over 15 weeks, its impressive pass rate and number of applications scheduled make it a leading choice for learner drivers.

2. Clifden, Co. Galway

Clifden combines a high pass rate of 67.9% with one of the lowest numbers of no-shows per month (2.1), indicating good candidate preparedness and test availability. Although it handles fewer applications than larger centres, its consistent results and manageable demand contribute to its strong overall ranking.

3. Loughrea, Co. Galway

Loughrea performs well despite a high volume of applications, scheduling a large proportion of candidates each month. With a solid pass rate of 63.9% and comparatively shorter wait times of just over 13 weeks, it offers a balance of accessibility and positive outcomes for learner drivers.

Most Difficult Driving Test Centres in Ireland

Long wait times, missed appointments, and limited test availability can make booking a driving test a frustrating process for learner drivers. With limited test slots and high demand, securing a place and planning your test can feel like a logistical puzzle, turning what should be a straightforward step toward getting a licence into a time-consuming process.

This pressure is especially common in Dublin, where several test centres handle high volumes of applications alongside frequent no-shows and longer-than-average wait times – highlighting how where you book your test can have a major impact on how quickly you get on the road.

Rank	Test Centre	Avg Monthly Pass Rate (%)	No. of No-Shows Per Month	No. of Driving Test Applications	No. of Driving Test Applications Scheduled	Driving Test Wait Times (weeks)
1	Tallaght, Co. Dublin	46.3	66.3	1,690.3	1,685.0	26.7
2	Finglas, Co. Dublin	42.3	48.8	1,114.8	998.4	16.3
3	Cork (Wilton), Co. Cork	54.0	42.2	1,350.9	1,111.6	21.5
4	Dun Laoghaire / Deansgrange, Co. Dublin	50.8	33.9	1,016.1	1,095.7	24.8
5	Mulhuddart, Co. Dublin	45.8	22.5	543.1	491.5	22.3
6	Charlestown (Dublin), Co. Dublin	37.6	13.8	313.4	199.8	18.4
7	Waterford, Co. Waterford	39.1	16.3	552.4	463.3	16.4
8	Raheny, Co. Dublin	53.6	25.4	661.1	583.6	22.0
9	Navan, Co. Meath	58.0	33.9	824.1	823.8	22.8
10	Killester, Co. Dublin	44.1	19.3	414.8	339.6	17.7

1. Tallaght, Co. Dublin

Tallaght ranks as the lowest-performing centre overall, largely due to very high demand, long wait times, and a below-average pass rate. With the highest number of applications nationally, over 1,690 each month, pressure on capacity is reflected in an average wait of almost 27 weeks, alongside the highest number of monthly no-shows at 66.3.

2. Finglas, Co. Dublin

Finglas also appears among the lowest-ranked centres, handling a large volume of applications with comparatively modest pass rates. While wait times are shorter than in Tallaght at 16 weeks, the centre still records a significant number of no-shows, highlighting the challenges faced by high-traffic urban locations.

3. Cork (Wilton), Co. Cork

Cork (Wilton) is the lowest-ranking centre outside Dublin, with heavy demand and wait times exceeding 21 weeks. Although its pass rate is stronger than several Dublin centres in this group (50.4%), high application volumes and scheduling pressures contribute to its overall placement.

The Best Months to Take Your Driving Test

Beyond test centre selection, the month in which you take your driving test can influence pass rates and waiting times. Which months deliver the most favourable conditions for learners?

Rank	Month	Avg Monthly Pass Rate (%)
1	January	52.46
2	July	51.42
3	May	51.28
4	August	51.24
5	June	51.10
6	April	51.02
7	November	50.94
8	October	50.70
9	September	50.56
10	March	50.42
11	February	50.14
12	December	50.06

January ranks as the strongest month overall, with the highest average pass rate since the data began in 2021, at 52.46%. This is followed by July and May, at 51.42% and 51.28% respectively.

By contrast, December ranks as the weakest month overall, with just over half (50.06%) of drivers passing their test in the last month of the year.

Ian O'Reilly, Director of Sales and Insurance at Chill, says: "Being flexible about when and where you take your driving test can really pay off.

"Rather than booking the first slot you see, it's worth working closely with your driving instructor to decide on the best test centre, date, and time for you. Instructors know which areas tend to be quieter, which routes are more straightforward, and even which times of day can avoid heavy traffic or school-run chaos.

"Choosing a less busy test centre or opting for a quieter time of year can help reduce waiting times, ease nerves on the day, and ultimately improve your chances of passing.

"Once you've secured your full licence, it's also a smart move to review your car insurance. Newly qualified drivers may find they're eligible for better value or more suitable cover now that they've passed, so taking the time to compare options could save you money and ensure you're properly protected on the road."

Sources and Methodology

To determine which test centres were the best and most difficult for learner drivers, the following factors were analysed:

• Average monthly driving test pass rate
• Number of no-shows to driving test appointments per month
• Number of driving test applications per month
• Number of driving test applications scheduled per month
• Average wait time for a driving test in weeks

Data collected January 2026.

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