UK Government Takes Action to Reduce Driving Test Waiting Times
The UK government has announced new measures to combat test-buying bots and provide thousands of additional driving tests every month. The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, has instructed the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to intensify its efforts to reduce waiting times and improve access to driving tests.
According to the DVSA, the new measures aim to break down barriers to opportunity as part of the government’s Plan for Change. The measures include asking those in other DVSA roles who are qualified to examine to return to the frontline to provide practical driving tests, doubling the number of permanent trainers to skill up new driving examiners quickly, and accelerating a consultation to investigate the potential abuse of the driving test booking system and prevent bots from accessing tests.
The government aims for these measures to reduce driving test waiting times to 7 weeks by summer next year. Significant progress has already been made as part of the DVSA’s 7-point plan to reduce waiting times, with 1.95 million tests delivered last year. However, further action is required to help learners pass quickly and ensure young people can access vital training and job opportunities to help them get on in life.
As quoted in the original announcement, Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander said: "We inherited an enormous backlog of learners ready to ditch their L-Plates but being forced to endure record waiting time for their tests. We simply cannot deliver on our Plan for Change if thousands remain held back, with their aspirations on pause. I am instructing DVSA to take further action immediately to reduce waiting times which will see thousands of additional tests made available every month. We’re acting fast to get Britain’s drivers moving."
The DVSA’s Additional Testing Award scheme will reopen for up to 18 months, allowing more examiners to deliver additional tests. Examiner training capacity will be doubled to ensure newly recruited driving examiners can qualify as quickly as possible. An accelerated consultation will also launch in May to improve the booking system and block bots from accessing tests. This comes on top of the work DVSA is already undertaking with leading IT specialists to enhance resilience against resellers.
Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused.com car insurance, was quoted in the official statement saying: "A long wait for driving test availability has held back many learner drivers from getting their licence. That’s why it’s positive to see that the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, is enforcing more measures to improve waiting times for learners. This will bring hope to those starting to learn, or still waiting to take their test. And ultimately, it should help make what is meant to be an exciting time for them something they can look forward to without the thought of a long wait."
The DVSA’s Driver Services Director, Pauline Reeves, also commented: "Since December 2024, we’ve made significant progress on implementing our plan to reduce waiting times. But we know that many learner drivers are not seeing the immediate effects of the measures. The further action which the Secretary of State has announced today will help us to accelerate those measures, including expanding training capacity for newly recruited driving examiners so more of them can start carrying out driving tests sooner."
Emma Bush, Managing Director of AA Driving School, added: "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. As we have highlighted, there is 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."
These measures come following the launch of a 7-point plan to drive down the waiting times to 7 weeks. Progress has been made in recruiting more than 100 new examiners, increasing the short notice cancellation period for candidates, and introducing tougher terms and conditions for driving instructors booking driving tests for their pupils. The government is confident that these new measures will help reduce waiting times and provide thousands of additional tests every month, helping learners pass quickly and ensuring young people can access vital training and job opportunities.
The UK government’s efforts to reduce driving test waiting times have been welcomed by driving experts and instructors, who have long called for action to address the issue. With the new measures in place, learner drivers can look forward to a reduced waiting time and a smoother process for obtaining their driving licence.
For more information on the UK government’s plans to reduce driving test waiting times, visit the DVSA website.
