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A recent report by the National Audit Office (NAO) has highlighted significant delays affecting learner drivers attempting to book practical driving tests. Due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, approximately 1.1 million driving tests were not conducted during the 2020/21 financial year, creating a substantial backlog. Of these, around 360,000 tests remain unbooked, resulting in average wait times of 22 weeks as of September, with many test centers experiencing waits of up to 24 weeks—the maximum permissible waiting period.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has acknowledged the issue and stated that it is implementing “decisive action to address the backlog,” including measures like deploying military driving examiners to supplement capacity. Meanwhile, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) originally aimed to reduce the waiting period for tests to seven weeks by 2025. However, the NAO’s inquiry revealed that long delays have caused some learners to turn to third-party sellers, who charge up to £500 for test slots—a figure sharply inflated compared to the official £62 DVSA fee. The DVSA has encountered difficulties in gauging actual test demand due to automated bots rapidly booking available slots on external websites.
Industry experts stress that these delays may have far-reaching consequences. According to the NAO, around 30% of learners indicate they require driving capabilities for their employment, meaning that extended waits could negatively impact both individual income and the wider economy. Seb Goldin, CEO of the driving school RED, described the situation as systemic, pointing out that the average age of learner drivers has risen to 26, up from approximately 17 in previous years. He attributed this shift to older learners seeking the flexibility and career advantages that driving provides, alongside the challenge the government faces in recruiting examiners, citing uncompetitive pay and safety concerns as factors contributing to high staff turnover.
Personal accounts underscore the human impact of these difficulties. Shiromi Gaughan from London has struggled to book her practical test for eight months after passing her theory exam two years ago, becoming frustrated at the prospect of paying £350 to a third-party reseller. Similarly, Martha Machiek, a single parent from Stockport, feels anxious as her theory test certificate nears expiry and worries she may face the expense and inconvenience of retaking it if a test slot does not become available. To cope, some learners have been seeking test slots in distant regions, a practice criticized by local instructors who note that it disadvantages residents in less populated areas.
The NAO recommends that the DVSA and DfT evaluate the effectiveness of current support systems for learners attempting to book tests and explore ways to expand the examiner workforce. Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, emphasized the need for “decisive action” to resolve the backlog and strengthen service delivery, highlighting ongoing exploitation of learners by resellers. The DfT responded by acknowledging inherited systemic flaws and asserting that recent measures are producing improvements. Starting next spring, only learners themselves will be permitted to book tests, with restrictions on rescheduling intended to curb third-party exploitation. The DfT also noted that between June and November of this year, the DVSA has conducted nearly 75,000 additional tests compared to the previous year, with further increases anticipated as new policies take effect
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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