'As if it's not already expensive enough' - RSA seeks higher fees for NCT and driving tests

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) wants to see an increase in fees for the National Car Test (NCT) and the driving test. 

That's according to RTÉ, which has claimed the RSA is asking the government for permission to increase fees for a number of services or, failing that, receive more money from Exchequer funds. 

Documents released to RTÉ's This Week under the Freedom of Information Act reportedly detail an appeal to Taoiseach Simon Harris seeking increased charges from 2025. 

The RSA - which has an annual budget in excess of €90 million - reportedly hopes to raise fees for driving tests, the NCT, the issuing of driving licences, and commercial vehicle testing. 

According to RTÉ, an increase of 10% is understood to be one of the options proposed, which would see the cost of booking a car driving test go from an already steep €85 to €93.50. 

A document reportedly revealed that fees have not increased in 12 years, and that higher rates are being sought due to inflation. 

Social media users were not happy with the news, with one X (formerly Twitter) user stating, "As if it's not already expensive enough, both [NCT and driving tests] are already a revenue earner, many never pass [sic] first time." 

Another person commented, "It should be test every two years as in Northern Ireland. [A] money cash cow, every centre is bursting at [the] seams now, increase in cars and population." 

Another commenter wrote, "It would be totally unacceptable for any government to consider increasing charges on motorists and driving schools fees as requested by the RSA" while another stated, "Not a good move. RSA not making good use of current funding and to increase cost of NCT and driving test is not way to improve road safety."