Huge gap in learner driver violations

An Irish MEP has called into question a major disparity in trends of unaccompanied learner drivers being caught by gardaí in Cork city versus Cork county.

Ireland South MEP and road safety advocate, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú said she is disappointed with figures in Cork county garda divisions, while the city divisions are showing positive trends.

According to recent figures, there was a 22.1% increase in the number of unaccompanied drivers caught by gardaí in Cork county between 2024 and 2025, contrasting greatly with a fall of 19.1% in the same period in the city.

Overall, 521 learner drivers were issued fixed charge notices by gardaí in Cork county for driving unaccompanied in 2024. This rose to 636 people in 2025, an increase of 22.1%.

In contrast, in the Cork city garda divisions, 565 people were issued fixed charge notices in 2024 – this fell to 457 in 2025, a 19.1% decrease.

Ms Ní Mhurchú said the figures in Cork city are encouraging because they show that learner drivers are getting the message,

She said: “Learner drivers lack the experience and judgment required to handle complex driving situations. That can mean more accidents on our roads. When an inexperienced driver gets behind the wheel of a car without any supervision, they are endangering themselves, other drivers, and other road users.”

Expressing disappointment in the county’s numbers, Ms Ní Mhurchú said it is important to remind parents that learner drivers must be accompanied at all times by someone who has held a full, valid driving licence in the same category for a minimum of two years.

She also highlighted that many parents do not know that their car is at risk of being impounded if their son or daughter drives it unaccompanied.

In Irish law, driving unaccompanied can lead to fines of up to €1,000 and four penalty points.

The Ireland South MEP said she also wants to see continued improvements in driving test wait times.