The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has statutory responsibility for the operation of the National Driving Test. In this capacity, the Authority deals with all test applications and scheduling matters.
However, I understand that the Authority has been engaging with the Public Service Operators and their trainees' applications are being prioritised given the current driver shortages.
In relation to the Certificate of Professional Competency (CPC) card, a driver must complete the initial qualification to apply for a CPC card. This involves a theory test, a case study theory test, driving test and walk around test. The theory tests can be completed together and the walk around test can be completed on the same day as the driving test.
The driver must have the new licence category on their driving licence, which takes on average 5 working days to process, before applying to the RSA for their CPC driver qualification card. I am informed that the average processing time for a qualification card is 7 to 14 working days.