Driving test waits fall to two-year low - but still average 20 weeks

Driving test waiting times in the UK have dropped below 20 weeks for the first time since November 2024, according to recent figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). However, the average waiting period remains around 20 weeks, or five months, for learner drivers. The DVSA has been working to reduce waiting times and clear a backlog that started during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

A driving instructor commented on the progress, stating, "I don't think this is anything to boast about." The DVSA initially aimed to reduce the average waiting time to seven weeks by the end of last year, but this target has now been pushed back to summer 2026. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander later admitted that even this revised target might not be achievable, with waits not expected to fall to seven weeks until the following autumn.

In September, the DVSA conducted 191,682 practical driving tests, with over half of those resulting in a pass. Learner drivers have expressed frustration over the lack of access to driving tests, which has limited their freedom, education, and job prospects. Many learners resorted to paying inflated prices for tests resold by third-party providers using automated programs to book slots before learners could access them.

However, changes to the test booking system have eliminated this issue, as only the learner driver can now book their test.

While the re-selling of tests has stopped, Sophie Stuchfield, a driving instructor in Watford, admitted that the DVSA has not yet recruited enough examiners to meet the current demand. She believes the slight reduction in waiting times is not something to boast about and that many areas still experience a 21-week wait for a driving test. In some cases, Sophie has witnessed learners booking tests months in advance, causing both pressure on the learner and the instructor.

Justin Madders, the minister for roads, acknowledged that the government inherited record waiting times and a significant backlog when coming to power. He noted that while driving test waiting times are still not ideal, these figures demonstrate real progress. A DVSA spokesperson emphasized the agency's commitment to reducing waiting times, highlighting that examiner numbers are at their highest level since November 2017.

However, they stressed that there is still more work to be done and pledged to continue until every learner can secure a test slot when needed, regardless of their location.