Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

UK Driving Test Waits Extend to November 2027

12/17/2025

41 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The National Audit Office (NAO) reports that the UK's average driving test waiting time will not reach the seven-week target until November 2027.
The backlog includes 360,000 unbooked tests from 2020/21, and learners wait 22 weeks.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has hired 83 of the 400 examiners needed since 2021, and will restrict bookings to learners to curb reseller exploitation.

1 of 1

Story summary

The National Audit Office (NAO) reports that the UK's average driving test waiting time will not reach the seven-week target until November 2027.
The backlog includes 360,000 unbooked tests from 2020/21, and learners wait 22 weeks.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has hired 83 of the 400 examiners needed since 2021, and will restrict bookings to learners to curb reseller exploitation.