Thousands more driving tests will be available every month as booking nightmare looms large

Learner drivers are facing record delays in booking practical and theory tests, with waiting lists now exceeding six months at 57% of UK test centres. This backlog is causing frustration, higher costs, scams, and jeopardising job opportunities for those needing a licence.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has now promised to double its capacity for training new driving examiners and will reintroduce overtime pay incentives for existing examiners. They hope this will increase the rate at which tests are conducted.

“We inherited an enormous backlog of learners ready to ditch their L-plates but being forced to endure record waiting times for their tests,” said the transport secretary. Heidi Alexander. “Therefore, I’m instructing DVSA to take further action immediately to reduce waiting times which will see thousands of additional tests made available each month.”

The average waiting time to book a test was 20 weeks in February, according to figures obtained by the AA Driving School. In 2019, learners typically waited just seven to nine weeks. Now, some are queuing behind more than 15,000 others when trying to book online – with others travelling hundreds of miles to find an earlier slot.

Government data shows the wider implications of the crisis: roughly one in six jobs in the UK requires a driving licence. Delays are hitting sectors such as healthcare, construction and transport particularly hard, with some applicants unable to even apply for roles due to test availability.

The long wait lists are increasing fraud

For learners, extended waiting times can mean paying for additional lessons to stay test-ready – adding to the already significant cost of learning to drive. This, in turn, has opened the door to fraudulent activity, with some services using automated bots to bulk-book slots and resell them at inflated prices of up to £300, compared to the official DVSA fee of £62 for a weekday slot.

The DVSA has responded by updating its terms and conditions to crack down on these practices, including banning the resale of test slots and closing 800 business accounts involved in abuse. The agency has also moved to stop instructors from booking tests for pupils they don’t teach or who have no real intention of attending.

While these measures aim to prevent exploitation, experts argue they don’t address the root issue: a lack of capacity. “It’s a supply and demand issue,” said one industry expert. “When the DVSA added 150,000 extra slots last year, waiting times began to fall – but it wasn’t enough, and the backlog returned once that boost ended.”

What else is the government doing to tackle the problem?

To tackle the problem, the Department for Transport (DfT) and DVSA are planning a more sustained response.

In December 2024, the government announced plans to recruit 450 new examiners in addition to the existing 1,600, targeting high-demand areas. The goal is to reduce average wait times to seven weeks by the end of 2025.

Alexander also announced that those in other DVSA roles who are qualified to examine will be asked to the front to provide practical driving tests.

Other changes include extending the booking window to allow learners to plan further ahead, increasing the notice period for cancellations from three to ten working days, and introducing stricter rules for those who fail to attend or display dangerous behaviour during tests.

Meanwhile, the number of young people with a licence continues to fall, dropping from 35% of 17- to 20-year-olds in 2019 to just 29% in 2023. Without significant and sustained improvements, this trend may continue, further impacting both individual mobility and access to work across the UK.

Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, said: “Learner drivers have been dealing with frustratingly long waiting times to book a driving test since the easing of pandemic related restrictions several years ago.

“There’s an urgent need for effective action to bring waiting times down to an acceptable level and, as such, we welcome today’s announcement giving further details of how the DVSA will meet its target waiting time of 7 weeks by the end of the year.

“Many people, particularly young people, need to pass their driving test for their job or to access education. Unblocking the system by creating extra tests will help ensure people are not being held back due to a lack of a driving licence.”

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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