On Wednesday 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, announced a fresh package of measures aimed at tackling the chronic backlog in driving test availability. While these steps mark at least a commitment to considering wider tactics to manage the testing crisis, many within the industry are asking the same question: is it too little, too late – and, if these latest tactics were practical and possible, why weren’t they employed earlier?
The Driving Instructors Association has welcomed aspects of this announcement, but remains clear that these measures, while necessary, fall far short of the bold, immediate action needed to restore confidence in the testing system.
Watch DIA CEO Carly Brookfield discuss the latest announcement
What’s been announced?
In her statement, the Transport Secretary acknowledged that despite progress under the DVSA’s 7-Point Plan, “customers are not seeing the immediate effect of these measures.” To speed up recovery and unlock more test appointments, the following actions have now been confirmed:
- Qualified DVSA staff in non-testing roles will be invited to return to the frontline to conduct driving tests.
- Permanent trainer numbers will be doubled, allowing new examiners to be trained more quickly.
- Overtime pay incentives for driving examiners are being reinstated to boost testing capacity.
An accelerated consultation will launch in May 2025 to deliver a fairer booking system and curb abuse by third-party bots and resellers.
While this announcement includes positive developments – notably the increase in examiner training capacity and expediting measures to tackle booking system abuse – these are measures that, in the eyes of many instructors, should have been prioritised much earlier in the recovery process.
Instructors speak: What our survey reveals
In response to growing member concerns, the DIA recently conducted a comprehensive survey of over 800 driving instructors. The results are, quite frankly, alarming.
- The average waiting time for a practical test now stands at 21.3 weeks
- 71% of instructors rated DVSA’s efforts to date as ‘Very Poor’
- Measures such as extending the retest waiting period and discouraging early bookings are viewed as potentially being counterproductive in the current climate
- Nearly half of instructors feel DVSA has failed to get a grip on the booking system, which remains open to exploitation
Many ADIs feel increasingly unsupported as they try to guide learners through a system that’s buckling under pressure.
Raising our concerns at the highest level
In light of the survey’s findings and sustained member feedback, the DIA has today formally escalated our concerns to the Secretary of State for Transport and the Transport Select Committee. A fortnight ago, a detailed letter, reflecting these concerns, was submitted to DVSA Chief Executive Loveday Ryder to which NASP still awaits a response.
Our position is clear: the 7-Point Plan has not delivered sufficient results. We need radical reform – including tighter controls on third-party bookings, fairer allocation of tests for instructors, and more agile deployment of examiner resources where they are most needed.
We’ve also accepted DVSA’s invitation to attend a virtual session to discuss the upcoming consultation in more detail and will continue to press for meaningful action.
Looking ahead
We’re calling for a more collaborative approach – one where instructors are not just consulted, but properly listened to. After all, you are the ones on the frontline, witnessing the impact of these delays on learners’ lives and livelihoods every single day, as well as directly experiencing the impact on your own lives and livelihood.
Final thoughts
While we acknowledge the Government’s latest steps, we must be honest: they will not turn the tide unless backed by long-term investment and system-wide reform. And considering the wider crisis in test delivery, the other frank discussion which needs to be had is, if DVSA cannot cope with a core remit of Cat B test delivery, does it need to consider divesting itself of other services it is struggling to resource at this time (such as ADI qualification and licensing processes) in order to fully concentrate on the better delivery of its core function?
The Driving Instructors Association remains committed to representing your voice and ensuring the concerns of our industry are heard at the highest levels. We thank you for your ongoing support and urge all members to continue sharing their experiences with us as we push for the changes our profession – and our learners – urgently need.
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