Brits face big modifications to driving checks with ready lists anticipated to extend
The average waiting time for driving tests increased to a whopping 20 weeks in February, a significant increase from the 14-week average in the previous year, leaving thousands of learners waiting for a test
The DVSA is aiming to have a nationwide wait time of seven weeks for tests by the end of 2025. But, as of February, Learners are facing record waiting times for their practical tests, new research has shown. Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) data shows that the average waiting time for driving tests increased to a whopping 20 weeks in February, a significant increase from the 14-week average in the previous year, analysis by AA Driving School revealed.
The number of test centres with a 24-week wait – which is the longest possible – nearly doubled, rising from 94 to 183. This means many learners are waiting five months to get on the road. Learners are already struggling with the cost of driving lessons, which have significantly increased since the pandemic, and the increasing demand for driving instructors.
The DVSA are introducing several changes to try and decrease the waiting time, From April 8, it will only be possible to make changes up to 10 working days before a booked test slot, compared with the current three working days.
Officials hope this will encourage learners to wait until they are ready to book a test and encourage them to pull out of slots sooner so someone else can grab their slot.
There is also a campaign to recruit and then train 450 new examiners. Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, said: “We are pleased the DVSA has laid out its plans to reach an average waiting time of seven weeks by December 2025, and wholeheartedly support their goal. It is crucial efforts to meet this target are effective and result in this significant reduction. There are rising numbers of young people who are registered as economically inactive.
“Bringing down driving test waiting times is vital to ensure a lack of driving licence does not become an ongoing barrier for young people trying to access education and employment. The most effective way to ensure waiting times are brought down is to increase the number of test slots available by increasing the overall number of driving test examiners.”
The Department for Transport’s latest statistics show that the proportion of 17 to 20-year-olds in England who hold a driving licence fell from 35% in 2019 to 29% in 2023.
A DVSA spokesperson told The Independent: “Car practical test waiting times remain high due to an increase in demand and low customer confidence in driving test availability, resulting in a change in customers’ booking behaviour.
“We continue to work on implementing our seven-point plan to reduce waiting times and encouraging learner drivers to only book their driving test when their instructor agrees they are ready. Since launching our plan in December 2024, we are making progress towards recruiting and training 450 driving examiners across Great Britain”.
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