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Booking a driving test has become a stressful process for many learners, likened to the frantic rush of buying festival tickets. Stephen Dawes, a 26-year-old from Newcastle, described how he woke up early on Easter Monday to queue online for a test slot, finding himself at number 11,000 in the queue. Learners across the UK are facing similar struggles, with limited availability and long waiting times for practical driving tests.
According to BBC Verify, the average waiting time for a driving test in Great Britain is 22 weeks, with some centers reaching a maximum average wait time of 24 weeks. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has promised to reduce this wait time to no more than seven weeks by the summer of 2026, aiming to clear the backlog with measures such as increasing examiner training capacity and reintroducing overtime pay incentives. Despite efforts to reduce wait times, many learner drivers are still experiencing delays in booking their tests.
The backlog of driving tests has led to various issues for learners, including the need to book exams far in advance and the risk of theory tests expiring. Some learners, like Ella Davis from Leeds, have had to book tests several months in advance and pay for refresher lessons to stay ready. The long waiting lists for driving lessons add an additional challenge, making it difficult for learners to coordinate finding an instructor, passing their theory test, and booking a practical exam.
To address the backlog, the DVSA has cited increased demand and changes in booking behavior as contributing factors. Data shows that while the number of practical driving tests dropped during lockdowns, there was a surge in tests taken between September 2023 and March 2024. Issues such as bots buying up test slots and reselling them at inflated prices have also added to the challenges faced by learners. Some, like Libby Murphy from Liverpool, have reached a breaking point and given up on their driving tests after multiple setbacks and financial investment in lessons.
In a system where it can be easier to pass a test than to book one, learner drivers are struggling to navigate the complexities of securing a practical exam slot amidst the ongoing backlog. The government and DVSA are working to address the issue, but for many learners, the road to getting behind the wheel remains a challenging and frustrating journey
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