Most of these drivers have never sat a driving test
More than 28-thousand drivers have been on the road with a provisional licence for up to 30 years.
Figures from the Road Safety Authority show 28,570 are on their third or subsequent learner permit, and haven't sat a driving test.
However, the number who've never sat a driving test could actually be higher, as the stats from 1994 to 2008 don't include testing data.
Editor of CompleteCar.ie, Shane O'Donoghue, says thousands of learner drivers have been taking advantage of the system loophole for many years: