Under plans to mobilise the Military of Defence, up to 6,500 more driving tests will be made available over the next year at locations with the highest demand
Military driving examiners will be sent out to the country to help cut the driving test backlog.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said a target to reduce the average waiting time for booking a test to seven weeks by summer 2026 was on track to be missed. The figure was 21.8 weeks at the end of June.
But under plans to allow military examiners to test civilians, up to 6,500 more tests will be made available over the next year at locations with the highest demand, the Government announced today.
New rules for learner drivers have also been set out out to help cut waiting lines. Those wanting to take a test will only be able to make up to two changes to their driving test – including moves, swaps and location changes – before it must be cancelled and rebooked.
Learner drivers will also be restricted to a limited number of test centres which are located close to the original booking. Another change will mean only learner drivers can book their own test, not instructors on their behalf.
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Limiting who can book a test and the number of changes made will mean third-parties will no longer be able to resell tests at inflated prices.
DVSA figures show the number of learner drivers in Britain with a future test booking as of the end of October was 642,000.
The Department for Transport said 36 Defence Driving Examiners (DDEs), made up of civilian Ministry of Defence (MoD) personnel, will help conduct driving tests one day a week for a year. Military driving examiners usually test service personnel, covering cars as well as fuel tankers and armoured carriers.
The extra personnel will be focusing primarily on car driving tests but with flexibility to carry out vocational tests, for bus and lorry drivers, if needed. They will be based at the driving test centres with the highest demand near their MoD base or home location.
Ms Alexander said: “We inherited an enormous backlog of learners ready to ditch their L-Plates, who have been sadly forced to endure record waiting times for their tests. Every learner should have an equal and fair opportunity to take a test.
“We’re taking decisive action, and these new measures will deliver thousands of extra tests over the next year, helping learners get on the road sooner.”
The MoD will charge the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) £100,000 for using the DDEs.
Armed Forces minister Al Carns said: “The Armed Forces and civilians working within the Ministry of Defence have always been ready to step up when the country needs them – and this is another example of that commitment in action.
“Our military driving examiners bring skill and professionalism from testing service personnel to prepare them for some of the toughest conditions imaginable. By supporting civilian testing, they’re helping to get more learners on the road, keep Britain moving and deliver for the public.”