A record-breaking backlog of driving test centres nationwide has left aspiring drivers waiting an average of 24 weeks for a practical test, with three quarters of the 319 centres reaching maximum wait times.
Three quarters of the 319 driving test centres across Great Britain have hit the maximum average waiting time, with an average wait of 24 weeks. This is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by aspiring drivers trying to book a practical test.
A driving test backlog occurs when a large number of applicants are waiting to take their driving test, causing delays and frustration.
According to the UK's Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the average waiting time for a practical driving test is around 6-8 weeks.
The main causes of the backlog include increased demand due to population growth, insufficient testing capacity, and COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions.
This can lead to safety concerns as inexperienced drivers are taking to the roads without proper training and assessment.
The driving tests backlog has been largely building since the Covid pandemic and has continued to rise since Labour came to power in July 2024. According to data obtained from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the average waiting time was 18 weeks when Labour took office, but this has now increased to 22 weeks.
In Greater London, a staggering 28 out of 30 test centres have reached the maximum waiting time of 24 weeks, with only one in 10 centres reporting an average waiting time shorter than 10 weeks. The three centres with the shortest waits were all located in Wales, with wait times of just one week and three weeks.
Driving test centres are designated facilities where individuals can take their driving tests to assess their road skills and knowledge.
These centres typically offer a controlled environment for the test, with a variety of routes and scenarios to evaluate a driver's abilities.
In most countries, driving test centres are operated by government agencies or private companies contracted by the government.
They usually provide various services, including testing, licensing, and registration.
The centres also often offer practice tests and driver education courses.
Millie Moyler from Buckinghamshire has been trying to book a test since September 2023, but her journey has been nothing short of frustrating. With her mum saying “hundreds of tests are being sold every week for all locations” at a cost of £200 a test, Millie and her mum have had to resort to using bots to secure a test slot.
Millie says it’s been a ‘strain‘ on her mental health, adding that driving is a basic life skill that shouldn’t be this much of a problem. She has now managed to book a test for July, but is worried about the possibility of having to wait another two years and keep paying for lessons in the meantime if she fails.
The government has announced measures to tackle the delays, including training more driving examiners and dealing with the issue of bots. The DVSA has also urged people not to buy test slots through social media channels, warning that they may be scams.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has announced an ‘accelerated consultation‘ in May to improve the booking system and block bots from accessing tests. This is a welcome move, but it remains to be seen whether these measures will have a significant impact on reducing waiting times.
Heidi Alexander is a British Labour Party politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Lewisham East from 2010 to 2021.
Born on March 20, 1976, in London, England, she studied at the University of Warwick and later earned her Ph.D. in politics.
A Alexander held various positions, including Deputy Mayor of London for Transport and Mayor of London candidate in 2016.
She stepped down as an MP to become the Mayor of London's transport commissioner, but resigned in 2021.
Tests are made available 24 weeks – almost six months – in advance. It’s not possible to book more than 24 weeks in advance. The average waiting time is the number of weeks it will be at a test centre until 10% of tests are available for a particular week.
The driving test backlog remains a pressing issue, with three quarters of driving test centres reaching maximum wait times. It’s time for the government to take decisive action to address this problem and ensure that aspiring drivers can book a practical test without facing significant delays or financial hardship.
