It's thought some drivers could be on the road with a provisional licence for almost 30 years.
Up to 30 thousand are on their third or subsequent learners' permit and have never sat a driving test.
The figures from the Road Safety Authority, and reported in the Irish Times, cover the period 1994 to now.
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Transport commentator Conor Faughnan, says someone can continues driving without a full licence as long as they have a test booked:
