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.
Transport commentator Conor Faughnan, says someone can continues driving without a full licence as long as they have a test booked:
"So they turn up as 'no shows' to the test itself to everybody's frustration. They motor on without ever having done it.
"It's estimated that there might be over 600 people who have been in that situation since 1994 or earlier, which seems truly ridiculous.
"You could ask yourself why these people why these people just don't do the test and regulairise it."
