Shane Coleman has hit out at “incredibly selfish” people who book driving tests they have no intention of sitting. 

Last year, there were 8,663 learners who failed to show up for their test, according to the RSA. 

This year, there have already been some 3,000 no shows and industry insiders believe some people are booking tests only in order to renew their learner permit. 

A learner permit can be unconditionally renewed twice; after that, the holder must have applied for a driving test or have unsuccessfully taken a driving test within the past two years. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, presenter Ciara Kelly said it is a sad reflection of the current system. 

“I think people are waiting more than six months, very often,” she said. 

“I have kids who have done the theory bit but want to do the test bit and I think they were told they wouldn’t even be able to apply for a test because of the backlog. 

“It is a legal loophole, it probably needs to be closed is what it is.”

A driver taking their test. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Co-presenter Shane Coleman said people not showing up for their test need to be more considerate of other people.

“What are we like as a nation?” he lamented. 

“It’s not a very attractive trait, is it? Your gaming the system is one thing - and that’s not a good thing. 

“But would it kill you to ring and say you’re not coming the day before?

“We see it with consultant appointments, the percentage of no shows for consultants’ appointments is into double figures. 

“How difficult is it to pick up the phone or turn on your computer and cancel an appointment?” 

Shane continued that he often despairs “at our lack of civic pride or lack of thinking of the common good,” adding that far too many people are “really selfish.”

Main image: Shane Coleman in the Newstalk studio. Image: Newstalk