Full Breakdown
Long Waits for Driving Tests: A Growing Backlog in the UK
12/17/2025, 8:19:27 AM
Current Backlog and Waiting Times
Learner drivers in the UK are facing significant delays in booking practical driving tests, with a backlog that is not expected to be cleared until November 2027. The National Audit Office (NAO) reported that 1.1 million tests were not conducted during the 2020/21 financial year due to Covid-19 restrictions, and approximately 360,000 of these tests remain unbooked. As of September 2023, the average waiting time for a driving test has reached 22 weeks, with 70% of test centres reporting waits of up to 24 weeks, the maximum allowed.
Challenges in Recruitment and Demand
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has struggled to recruit enough examiners to meet the demand for tests. Despite 19 recruitment campaigns since 2021, only 83 additional examiners have been hired, far short of the target of 400. High exit rates among examiners, attributed to uncompetitive pay and safety concerns, have exacerbated the situation. The NAO noted that the DVSA has difficulty assessing real demand for tests, as third-party websites often use automated programs, known as bots, to quickly book available slots.
Economic Impact on Learner Drivers
The prolonged delays have forced nearly one in three learner drivers to resort to paying third-party services up to £500 to secure a test slot, significantly higher than the official DVSA fee of £62. This situation has raised concerns about the economic impact on learners, with 30% of respondents in a DVSA survey indicating that they need to drive for their jobs. Learner driver Shiromi Gaughan expressed frustration over the inflated costs, stating, "It's really unfair and I'm extremely frustrated."
Official Responses and Recommendations
Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, emphasized the need for "decisive action" to address the backlog and improve the driving test system, which he described as "not working satisfactorily." The Department for Transport (DfT) acknowledged the challenges, stating that it inherited a "frustrating" system open to abuse. In response to the backlog, the DfT has announced measures such as deploying military driving examiners to assist with testing and restricting test bookings to learners only, preventing instructors from reserving slots.
Criticism and Calls for Reform
Critics, including learner drivers like Martha Machiek, have voiced their concerns about the fairness of the system. Machiek, a single parent, expressed her stress over the possibility of having to retake her theory test due to the inability to secure a practical test slot before her certificate expires. She stated, "The system is not being fair on people like us." The NAO has urged the DVSA and DfT to assess support for learners and explore ways to increase the examiner workforce.
Conclusion
The ongoing backlog of driving tests in the UK presents significant challenges for learner drivers, with long waiting times and economic pressures leading to exploitation by third-party resellers. As the DVSA and DfT work to implement reforms, the effectiveness of these measures will be crucial in restoring a functional driving test service.
