Learner drivers applying for their first driving test are facing an average wait time of almost five months.
At the end of January, 64,606 people were waiting for their invitation to book their test, figures from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) show.
There were a further 21,754 people with a scheduled test date.
In Dublin, there were 24,393 people waiting for an invitation to book their test and a further 6,759 with a scheduled test date.
The national average estimated waiting time for a car driving test was 19.7 weeks for a new applicant.
Tara told Lunchtime Live once you complete your lessons, you join a long waiting list for the test.
"I've been waiting for my test since March last year," she said.
"This is just to get an invitation [to sit the test].
"They don't send any emails telling us as to why - underneath when you look up to see waiting times, there's a disclaimer saying there may not be testers or the weather might be bad.
"I've been waiting now and I'm not going to get one until August."
Tara said once a test becomes available, you have five days to book a slot or risk being taken off the list.
She has switched test centres in Dublin twice in the hopes of getting a place.
"I'm thinking of maybe just going down the countryside to do it," she said.
A learner driver sticker on a car, 22-9-10. Image: macana / AlamyBrenda Bolger of Bolger School of Motoring in Kilkenny told the show everywhere is the same.
"My own son applied for his last August and we're expecting a date around May [or] June fo him," she said.
"The test wait times are long no matter where you go in the country I'm afraid.
"Once you complete the lessons, you have to wait for your driving instructor to upload all of your lessons on to the RSA system.
"Then you've to wait an additional two weeks before you can go in and book it.
"So, that's a little extra time added on there as well".
'Unprecedented demand'
Ms Bolger said there can also be some confusion over tax.
"If your car tax is due to expire at the end February, legally you can drive on the road until the end of March," she said.
"But for your driving test, it has to be a valid disc at the time.
"If you want for your test in March, and your tax disc expires on the 2/2024, you won't be taken for your test.
"There can be some slight confusion over things like that," she added.
The RSA has said there are a number of factors contributing to the increase in demand.
"The Driver Testing Service experienced unprecedented demand over the past two years with the number of applications for a driving test in 2022 28% higher than the record 2021 figures," it said.
"The service continued to see increased application volumes throughout 2023".
It said the number of learner permits in circulation has grown by around 30% since the end of 2019.
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