Driving Test Backlog in the UK: A Growing Crisis

The UK is facing a significant backlog in driving tests, with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) reporting an average waiting time of 22 weeks as of November 2023. Approximately 638,270 individuals are on the forward bookings list, a situation exacerbated by the cancellation of an estimated 1 million tests during the Covid-19 lockdowns. Experts predict that this backlog could persist until at least 2026, with the National Audit Office (NAO) warning that it may not be cleared until November 2027.

The Independent

Many learner drivers are resorting to extreme measures to secure test appointments. Colette Bodde, a 29-year-old from London, traveled nearly 10 hours to Fort William, Scotland, to take her test after finding the local booking system unmanageable. Similarly, 18-year-old Rafa James booked a test 200 miles away in Carmarthen, Wales, feeling disadvantaged in an unfamiliar area. Halima Abdi, 21, has been waking up at 5 AM every Monday for five months to try and book a test, eventually securing one in Birmingham, almost three hours from her home. She highlighted the stress of transporting heavy equipment on trains and called for priority access for those needing a test for work.

The Independent

In response to the crisis, the DVSA has announced changes to the driving test booking system aimed at reducing waiting times and preventing exploitation by third-party resellers. These changes include limiting bookings to learner drivers only, restricting the number of edits to test appointments, and deploying 36 military driving examiners to conduct an additional 6,500 tests annually. The DVSA reported conducting over 14,400 more tests in October 2025 compared to the previous year.

The Independent

Despite these measures, critics argue that the current system remains inadequate. Emma Bush, managing director of the AA Driving School, emphasized that excessive waiting times are adversely affecting learners' mobility and job prospects. She noted that while the situation may improve slightly in the coming year, long-term solutions are necessary to restore waiting times to pre-Covid levels. This includes recruiting more examiners and focusing on retaining existing staff to ensure a sustainable increase in test availability.

The Independent

While the DVSA and government officials express optimism about the changes, the NAO's assessment suggests a more prolonged struggle with the backlog. The discrepancy between the DVSA's immediate improvements and the NAO's long-term outlook highlights the complexity of the issue. As the government continues to implement reforms, the effectiveness of these measures will be closely monitored by both learners and industry experts.

The Independent

• “The current system for providing driving tests in England, Scotland and Wales is not working satisfactorily, with long waiting times and exploitation of learner drivers by resellers of test slots.” — Gareth Davies, Head of the National Audit Office

The Independent

• “But she stressed that for the backlog to really improve in 2026, “long-term, sustained action is what is needed to bring waiting times back to pre-Covid levels.” — Emma Bush, Managing Director of the AA Driving School

The Independent

• “an immediate disadvantage” — Rafa James, Learner Driver

The Independent

• “I was told by family and friends it’s best to pick somewhere further because they are more likely to have space for me.” — Halima Abdi, Learner Driver

The Independent