Looking to book a driving test? You could wait at least six months

If you’re trying to book a driving test, chances are you’ll be waiting months.

In September, the average wait was 22 weeks, but at seven in 10 test centres, learners were facing the maximum allowed wait of 24 weeks. That cap is set by the National Audit Office (NAO), which monitors public services.

The issue goes back to the Covid pandemic. During 2020 and 2021, 1.1 million driving tests never took place because of restrictions. Even now, around 360,000 of those tests still haven’t been booked, leaving a huge backlog.

The government says it’s stepping in. The Department for Transport (DfT) claims it’s taking “decisive action” – including bringing in the military in November to help tackle the delays.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which runs driving tests, says it plans to cut waiting times by seven weeks by the end of the year.

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Why are waits so long?

One major issue is test slot resellers. Some people are even paying third-party websites to secure a test for them – sometimes up to £500, according to the NAO. That’s nearly eight times the official £62 weekday fee.

These websites use automated bots to snap up available slots as soon as they appear, making it harder for genuine learners to book at a fair price.

Long waits can have real consequences. The NAO warned delays can affect people’s ability to work and earn, with three in 10 learner drivers saying they need a licence for their job.

Another big problem is a shortage of driving examiners. Many have left due to low pay and safety concerns. Since 2021, the DVSA has run 19 recruitment campaigns but hired just 83 extra examiners – well short of its target of 400.

Last year, the DVSA had 220 qualified examiners covering 240 test centres, making it difficult to meet demand.

The backlog is testing people’s patience

The backlog in booking driving tests has left many learner drivers feeling incredibly frustrated.

For instance, Martha Machiek, a single parent from Stockport, told the BBC that she is “very stressed” trying to book a driving test slot. She needs a licence to save time and money taking her children to and from school.

With the expiry date of their theory test certificates looming, many learner drivers are facing the prospect of having to re-take and pay for the test if they cannot secure a practical test booking in time, a cost many simply cannot afford.

Normally learners must take their practical test within two years of passing the theory test.

Machiek is one of these people: “The system is not being fair on people like us. I don’t have money to book another one.”

London small business owner, Shiromi Gaughan, described feeling “sick” when she discovered a third-party seller was offering a driving test slot for £350. She has been trying to book a test for eight months since passing her theory exam two years ago.

She urged the government to “do something about this because it’s totally unacceptable,” and will need to review the whole system.

What needs to be done

The NAO has urged the DVSA and the DfT to finally get a handle on the ongoing driving test backlog and sort out the whole service.

NAO boss Gareth Davies has said that the system for driving tests across England, Scotland, and Wales is “not working satisfactorily” right now. The main headaches? Those ridiculously long waiting lists and test slots being snapped up and resold, ripping off learner drivers.

To fix things, the NAO suggests looking at how learners are supported when they book their tests and figuring out a serious way to hire a lot more examiners.

From spring, only learner drivers will be able to book tests. Also, limits will be placed on the number of times you can reschedule or swap a test.

The government said it hopes this will stop third-party companies “exploiting vulnerable learners” and make the whole process more transparent.

Tips for learner drivers

Here are some handy tips to help navigate the driving test backlog:

• Book as early as possible: Slots can vanish fast, so keep checking the DVSA website regularly. Be flexible with dates, times, and even locations if you’re able to travel.
• Use the cancellation checker tools wisely: There are free and paid apps/websites that scan for cancellations and notify you when earlier slots open up. Just make sure they’re legit and not charging ridiculous fees.
• Stay sharp behind the wheel: Long gaps between lessons and your driving test can make you rusty. Keep practicing with an instructor or a qualified driver to stay confident behind the wheel.
• Don’t rush the process: It’s tempting to jump at the first available date, but only book when you know you’re ready. Taking your test too early could mean joining the back of the queue again if you fail.
• Be flexible with test centres: If you can travel a bit, look at other nearby test centres for earlier slots. Just make sure you’re familiar with the area before test day.
• Be mindful of your valid theory test: Theory test certificates are valid for 2 years – if yours expires, you’ll have to retake it before you can book another driving test.
• Stay calm and don’t panic-book: Scammers know people are desperate – stick to the official DVSA booking channel to avoid being overcharged or conned.

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