Driving Test Waiting Times Reach Record Highs Amidst Increased Demand
Practical test waiting times for aspiring drivers have surged, prompting the DVSA to introduce measures aimed at reducing delays.
As of February 2023, the average waiting time for securing a practical driving test in the UK has reached 20 weeks, a significant increase from the 14 weeks reported a year prior, according to figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
This surge in waiting times coincides with a nearly twofold increase in the number of test centres experiencing the maximum waiting time of 24 weeks, which rose from 94 to 183 over the same period.
Only 14 test centres reported waiting times of seven weeks or less, which is the DVSA’s target for the end of 2023. In response to these prolonged delays, the DVSA has announced changes to the booking process.
Starting April 8, 2023, learners will only be permitted to make changes to their booked test slots up to 10 working days in advance, an extension from the current three-day window.
This modification is intended to encourage learners to book their tests only when they feel adequately prepared and to allow for earlier cancellations, increasing the potential for other candidates to fill those spots.
In conjunction with these changes, officials from the Department for Transport (DfT) are actively working on a campaign to recruit and train 450 new driving examiners, which is viewed as a critical step towards alleviating the backlog.
Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, expressed support for the DVSA's plans, highlighting the necessity of effective measures to reduce waiting times significantly.
She noted a troubling trend among young people, with growing numbers classified as economically inactive, emphasizing the importance of driving licenses in accessing education and employment.
Recent DfT statistics indicated a decline in the percentage of 17 to 20-year-olds in England holding a driving license from 35% in 2019 to 29% in 2023. Concurrently, the percentage of individuals aged 18 to 24 not engaged in education, employment, or training increased from 12.4% at the end of 2019 to 15.8% by the end of the previous year.
A DVSA spokesperson acknowledged the unprecedented waiting times, attributing them to rising demand coupled with low customer confidence in driving test availability.
This has resulted in changes in customer booking behavior.
The spokesperson reiterated the agency's commitment to implementing a seven-point plan aimed at reducing waiting times and promoting a more strategic approach to test bookings, directly aligned with readiness assessed by driving instructors.
The DVSA is making strides in its initiative to recruit and train the additional driving examiners necessary to address the growing backlog.
This surge in waiting times coincides with a nearly twofold increase in the number of test centres experiencing the maximum waiting time of 24 weeks, which rose from 94 to 183 over the same period.
Only 14 test centres reported waiting times of seven weeks or less, which is the DVSA’s target for the end of 2023. In response to these prolonged delays, the DVSA has announced changes to the booking process.
Starting April 8, 2023, learners will only be permitted to make changes to their booked test slots up to 10 working days in advance, an extension from the current three-day window.
This modification is intended to encourage learners to book their tests only when they feel adequately prepared and to allow for earlier cancellations, increasing the potential for other candidates to fill those spots.
In conjunction with these changes, officials from the Department for Transport (DfT) are actively working on a campaign to recruit and train 450 new driving examiners, which is viewed as a critical step towards alleviating the backlog.
Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, expressed support for the DVSA's plans, highlighting the necessity of effective measures to reduce waiting times significantly.
She noted a troubling trend among young people, with growing numbers classified as economically inactive, emphasizing the importance of driving licenses in accessing education and employment.
Recent DfT statistics indicated a decline in the percentage of 17 to 20-year-olds in England holding a driving license from 35% in 2019 to 29% in 2023. Concurrently, the percentage of individuals aged 18 to 24 not engaged in education, employment, or training increased from 12.4% at the end of 2019 to 15.8% by the end of the previous year.
A DVSA spokesperson acknowledged the unprecedented waiting times, attributing them to rising demand coupled with low customer confidence in driving test availability.
This has resulted in changes in customer booking behavior.
The spokesperson reiterated the agency's commitment to implementing a seven-point plan aimed at reducing waiting times and promoting a more strategic approach to test bookings, directly aligned with readiness assessed by driving instructors.
The DVSA is making strides in its initiative to recruit and train the additional driving examiners necessary to address the growing backlog.
