Driving tests: Hundreds of examiners to be recruited to cut ‘sky-high’ wait times

Figures released by the Department for Transport (DfT) earlier this year indicated that the number of driving tests taken reached a record level in the 12 months to the end of March, at 1.9 million.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has now set out a plan to tackle long waits, with learners having to pay more for tests that are booked out by third parties trying to make a profit.

Among the measures announced is the recruitment and training of 450 driving examiners across Great Britain.

The DVSA will increase the period for changing or cancelling a test without losing money from three working days to 10 working days beforehand in a bid to discourage late cancellations.

There will also be a consultation over proposals to increase the amount of time for booking new tests for learners who fail after making serious or dangerous mistakes. Learner drivers currently have to wait 10 working days before being able to book another test.

Current rules around tests being booked up to 24 weeks in advance will also be looked at to see if learners could sign up further ahead.

Ms Greenwood said passing a driving test was “a life changing opportunity for millions” but “sky-high waiting times for tests in recent years have denied that opportunity to too many people”.

“No one should have to wait six months when they’re ready to pass, travel to the other side of the country to take a driving test or be ripped off by unscrupulous websites just because they can’t afford to wait,” she said.

“The scale of the backlog we have inherited is huge, but today’s measures are a crucial step to tackle the long driving test wait times, protect learner drivers from being exploited, and support more people to hit the road.”