The RSA is being urged to clam down on the issue.
Some learners are driving up to seven years without passing a test, according to an Offaly driving instructor.
It comes as figures show as many as 30,000 drivers are on their third or subsequent learner permit without ever sitting a test.
The RSA is being urged to clamp down on this practice.
Joe Wynne, of Wynne's School of Motoring in Tullamore, says we need more testers: