The figures released by the Department of the Environment show that the number of people who are driving on provisional licences has increased by more than 6,000 since the beginning of the year.
The increase has been attributed to a higher failure rate of the driving test and delays in testing.
The figures show that while 150,000 people sat the driving test last year almost half of these, 46%, failed.
Shannon in Co Clare had the highest pass rate at 65%, while Cavan (47%) had the lowest.
A spokesman for the AA described the situation as farcical. The association has called on the Government to regulate instructors and force L drivers to take comprehensive tuition before being allowed to take the test.
The figures, which were published in the Bulletin of Vehicle and Driver Statistics, show that overall 358,000 people or 17% of all drivers are on provisional licences.
While the majority is on first or second licences, some 55,000 are on their third licences, 29,000 are on their fourth and 856 are on their fifth.
The higher failure rate - up 2% since 1997 - and an increase in applicants for the driving test has pushed the waiting time for tests to between eight and 10 months.
The latest figures will be seen as a setback for the Minister for Transport Séamus Brennan, who earlier this year promised to sort out the provisional licence situation.
