Over 500k learners still waiting to sit driving tests as lockdown backlog remains

More than half a million learners are on still on a waiting list to sit their practical driving test as the push to clear the huge backlog built up during lockdowns has yet to be cleared, it has been revealed.

As of the end of May, some 530,387 budding motorists are waiting for an available test slot – and tests for new instructors to teach learners has also stalled, exacerbating the situation, according to AA Driving School.

The driving test backlog has increased by 34,263 at the end of May 2022 compared to a year earlier, data provided by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency following a freedom of information request shows. 

Since the start of the pandemic, various lockdowns, restrictions and delays to practical driving tests returning meant the backlog grew from around 150,000 learners in August 2020 to almost 600,000 by August 2021.

The DVSA has put a number of measures in place in an attempt to clear mounting waiting lists, including creating over 400,000 extra test appointments between April and June last year with overtime, weekend and public holiday test slots made available, inviting retired examiners to return to work and even buying back leave from some invigilators.

New figures released today show that 425,900 practical car tests were conducted in between January and March, which is 14 per cent more than the first quarter in 2021.

Yet this is still failing to trim the post-Covid backlog as rapidly as learners would hope. 

The current average waiting time for a test slot is around 14 weeks – meaning booking a practical today during the height of summer would see a learner sitting their test in the middle of November.

However, in some busy areas, the DVSA say learners can be waiting up to 24 weeks, or almost six months. 

A spokesperson from the Government agency told This is Money: ‘Following the suspension and disruption of testing over much of the pandemic, we are doing all we can to provide learners with as many practical driving tests as possible and bring average waiting times down to less than 10 weeks by the end of the year.

‘To tackle the high demand for driving tests we have been recruiting an additional 300 examiners, conducting out of hours testing such as at weekends and on public holidays and asking qualified staff that no longer work as driving examiners to conduct tests.

‘We understand this is a difficult time for learner drivers, so we are supporting them as they prepare for their driving test through our Ready to Pass? Campaign, which you can find at https://www.gov.uk/ready-to-pass.’

In order to sit their practical tests, learner need a valid theory test pass.

However, with theory certificates only valid for 24 months, some learners are now having to re-take the £23 theory exam due to the backlog, the AA’s driving school said.

The high demand for practical driving tests has also led to a surge of websites being setup that claim to make mass bookings using bots and then charge extra for available slots they secure. 

While a practical test costs £62 from the official government website, the AA says it is aware of reports of learners are being charged more than £200 by reselling sites.

AA Driving School also requested data on waiting times for driving instructor exams when it raised its FOI with the DVSA back in June.

New driving instructors must take three examinations, known as part 1, 2 and 3 tests.

The data showed on 30 May 2022, the average waiting time for a part 2 test was 20.7 weeks and the average waiting time for a part 3 test (the last exam new driving instructors must take) was 17.2 weeks.

The DVSA confirmed that last month there were 438 Approved Driving Instructor tests on hold without a date, meaning these instructors have no known timeframe for completing their training.

Mark Oakley, AA Driving School managing director said a ‘spiralling’ backlog of both learners and trainee instructors is ‘absolute madness and must end now’.

He went on: ‘When we revealed the true state of the backlog last year the DVSA said measures were in place to solve it, but these new figures show they have not kept up with demand.

‘To still have a half-a-million backlog one year later is a significant issue.

‘The fact the practical test backlog grew from January to May 2022 alone shows real work needs to be done. 

‘We know from previous AA research that driving ranks as one of the top skills for making it easier to find a job, which in turn helps individuals, families and the growth of the UK economy as whole.

‘There are pupils in every county who are ready to take their tests and move onto the next phase of their lives, whether that’s employment and education opportunities or lifestyle changes, but everything is on hold until they can secure their driving licence.’

Mr Oakley added: ‘The test backlog also means driving instructors are in huge demand and some are having to close their books to new pupils until they have space available.

‘To add to the issue, we have a significant number of trainee driving instructor who are waiting to complete their training to teach these pupils, but qualification exams are on a four-month delay.

‘We met with the DVSA recently to discuss the issue and we know they are committed to working on it, but more needs to be done to help the industry break free of the shadow of Covid.’

RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes says an average 14-week waiting period to get a driving test slot is too long, especially for those who need a car to get to work.

‘While we know the DVSA has measures in place to increase the number of practical tests, we really need to see numbers increase beyond pre-pandemic levels in order to bring down overall waiting times,’ he added.

According to the DVSA, the average pass rate for driving tests over the past five years is 47 per cent.