The UK’s transport secretary has condemned the practice of “dodgy sites” reselling driving tests to learner drivers for a profit as “unacceptable”. With waiting times for tests averaging at four and a half months, many learners are turning to brokers who block-book and resell the tests at a significant markup. While the practice is legal, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has said it “exploits” learners.
Tackling the backlog in driving tests is a “key priority” for the Labour government, according to Transport Secretary Louise Haigh. To combat the problem, the DVSA has called on learners to book tests solely through the official government website, rather than resorting to brokers.
Brokers typically use software that automatically block-books test slots on the government website, giving them a crucial head start over others attempting to book in manually. Demand has soared amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with many learners booking tests before they have sufficient on-road experience.
The DVSA has warned that reselling driving tests ultimately hurts learners and is using artificial intelligence to block bookings. However, the agency has admitted that technology developments make it difficult to keep up
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