UK Learner Drivers Face Prolonged Delays Amidst Driving Test Backlog
In This Article
HIGHLIGHTS
- Learner drivers in the UK face a backlog of 1.1 million driving tests, with waits extending up to 24 weeks.
- The DVSA has hired only 83 additional examiners since 2021, far short of its 400 target, contributing to ongoing delays.
- Third-party booking services and bots are exacerbating the backlog, with some charging up to £500 for test slots.
- The Department for Transport plans to deploy military examiners and ban third-party bookings to address the issue.
- Learners are traveling long distances, such as from London to Inverness, to secure test slots, impacting local availability.
Learner drivers across the UK are grappling with significant delays in booking practical driving tests, with a backlog of 1.1 million tests expected to persist until November 2027, according to a report by the National Audit Office (NAO). The backlog, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, has resulted in average waiting times of 22 weeks, with some test centres reaching the maximum wait of 24 weeks.
Challenges in Reducing Waiting Times
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has struggled to reduce waiting times despite launching 19 recruitment campaigns since 2021. Only 83 additional examiners have been hired, falling short of the 400 needed to meet demand. The NAO report highlights that the DVSA has been slow to recognize the increased demand for tests, partly due to automated bots and third-party services booking available slots.
Impact on Learner Drivers
The backlog has forced some learners to pay inflated prices, up to £500, to secure test slots through third-party services. Learner driver Shiromi Gaughan expressed frustration over the costs and delays, stating, "It's really unfair and I'm extremely frustrated." Many learners are also traveling long distances to secure test slots, with some from London booking tests in Inverness, impacting local availability and causing further delays.
Government Response and Future Measures
In response, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced plans to deploy military driving examiners and ban third-party bookings to tackle the backlog. A DfT spokesperson acknowledged the challenges, stating, "We inherited a frustrating system with learner drivers left in limbo waiting for tests." The DVSA has also carried out additional tests and plans to implement further measures to increase availability.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The ongoing backlog in driving tests could have significant implications for learner drivers and the broader economy. If the delays persist, more learners may be forced to pay inflated prices or travel long distances, exacerbating financial and logistical burdens. The government's planned interventions, including deploying military examiners and banning third-party bookings, could alleviate some pressure, but their effectiveness remains to be seen. Experts suggest that addressing examiner recruitment and retention issues will be crucial to resolving the backlog and restoring a functional driving test system.
Images from the Web
Related Articles
Bafta Film Awards 2026: A Night of Glamour and Identity Challenges
UK Clinical Trial on Puberty Blockers Paused Amid Safety Concerns
US Supreme Court Ruling on Tariffs Sparks Uncertainty for UK and Global Trade
UK Police Intensify Investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Amid Misconduct Allegations
Prince Andrew's Arrest Raises Questions About Royal Succession and Monarchy's Future
UK Government Eases Deer Culling to Protect Woodlands and Farmland
UK Learner Drivers Face Prolonged Delays Amidst Driving Test Backlog
In This Article
Aya Nakamura| Published HIGHLIGHTS
- Learner drivers in the UK face a backlog of 1.1 million driving tests, with waits extending up to 24 weeks.
- The DVSA has hired only 83 additional examiners since 2021, far short of its 400 target, contributing to ongoing delays.
- Third-party booking services and bots are exacerbating the backlog, with some charging up to £500 for test slots.
- The Department for Transport plans to deploy military examiners and ban third-party bookings to address the issue.
- Learners are traveling long distances, such as from London to Inverness, to secure test slots, impacting local availability.
Learner drivers across the UK are grappling with significant delays in booking practical driving tests, with a backlog of 1.1 million tests expected to persist until November 2027, according to a report by the National Audit Office (NAO). The backlog, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, has resulted in average waiting times of 22 weeks, with some test centres reaching the maximum wait of 24 weeks.
Challenges in Reducing Waiting Times
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has struggled to reduce waiting times despite launching 19 recruitment campaigns since 2021. Only 83 additional examiners have been hired, falling short of the 400 needed to meet demand. The NAO report highlights that the DVSA has been slow to recognize the increased demand for tests, partly due to automated bots and third-party services booking available slots.
Impact on Learner Drivers
The backlog has forced some learners to pay inflated prices, up to £500, to secure test slots through third-party services. Learner driver Shiromi Gaughan expressed frustration over the costs and delays, stating, "It's really unfair and I'm extremely frustrated." Many learners are also traveling long distances to secure test slots, with some from London booking tests in Inverness, impacting local availability and causing further delays.
Government Response and Future Measures
In response, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced plans to deploy military driving examiners and ban third-party bookings to tackle the backlog. A DfT spokesperson acknowledged the challenges, stating, "We inherited a frustrating system with learner drivers left in limbo waiting for tests." The DVSA has also carried out additional tests and plans to implement further measures to increase availability.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The ongoing backlog in driving tests could have significant implications for learner drivers and the broader economy. If the delays persist, more learners may be forced to pay inflated prices or travel long distances, exacerbating financial and logistical burdens. The government's planned interventions, including deploying military examiners and banning third-party bookings, could alleviate some pressure, but their effectiveness remains to be seen. Experts suggest that addressing examiner recruitment and retention issues will be crucial to resolving the backlog and restoring a functional driving test system.
Images from the Web
Related Articles
Bafta Film Awards 2026: A Night of Glamour and Identity Challenges
UK Clinical Trial on Puberty Blockers Paused Amid Safety Concerns
US Supreme Court Ruling on Tariffs Sparks Uncertainty for UK and Global Trade
UK Police Intensify Investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Amid Misconduct Allegations
Prince Andrew's Arrest Raises Questions About Royal Succession and Monarchy's Future
UK Government Eases Deer Culling to Protect Woodlands and Farmland