Learner drivers face growing frustration as the practical driving test backlog hits an unprecedented 603,352, according to newly analysed DVSA data.
DIA continues to highlight concerns over testing to Government and will meet with DVSA and wider stakeholders for a face to face meeting to discuss the issue at the start of June.
Figures from the PA news agency show nearly 100,000 more tests are booked compared to the same time last year, up from 521,190 in April 2024. Yet, despite rising demand, fewer tests are being conducted. Between January and April 2025, 610,000 tests were completed – a 15% decrease from the 718,000 tests in the same period last year.
This decline follows a temporary increase in examiner numbers between October 2023 and March 2024, when DVSA reassigned staff to frontline testing roles. However, those resources have since been returned to their original duties.
On a positive note, pass rates are improving, suggesting more candidates are waiting until they are truly test-ready.
DVSA attributes the persistent backlog to both “increased demand and a change in customers’ booking behaviour.”
Government Response
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander acknowledged the “enormous backlog” inherited by the new Labour government. She confirmed action is being taken to make at least 10,000 additional tests available each month, aiming to reduce average waiting times to seven weeks by summer 2026.
With current waits averaging 20 weeks, according to AA Driving School data, urgent reforms are planned. A consultation on driving test booking system changes will be launched shortly, designed to combat bots mass-booking slots for resale at inflated prices. The consultation period will be shortened to eight weeks to expedite change.
Additional measures include:
- Overtime incentives for examiners to conduct more tests.
- Re-deployment of qualified DVSA staff back to testing roles.
- Doubling the number of permanent trainers for new examiners.
Industry Perspective
Last month, Carly Brookfield, CEO of the Driving Instructors Association (DIA) and current chair of the National Associations Strategic Partnership (NASP), led another meeting with DVSA’s senior management team, following an official letter sent directly to the agency’s Chief Executive. That letter, shared with ministers and the Transport Select Committee, didn’t hold back. It criticised the lack of progress, the silence from DVSA, and the growing pressure on trainers and pupils alike.
“We’ve gone from Groundhog Day to crisis mode,” said Carly Brookfield in a recent video post. “And the seven-point plan just isn’t delivering the impact it needs to. It’s time for DVSA to act.”
Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, said: “Learner drivers have waited long enough for an improvement to the lengthy waiting times to secure a practical test slot, it should not be this hard to book your driving test.”
A Department for Transport spokesperson added: “The current backlog facing learner drivers is completely unacceptable, but we are taking decisive action to address the situation inherited from the previous government.”
Originally sourced from The Independent
6 responses
The system is broken and half hearted attempts by DVSA to change it are not even touching the sides.
We need another service provider- competition – that would wake them up if a private company became involved – I see no reason why this could not happen.
The situation is ridiculous. I was discussing the perfect solution with the CEO Loveday Rider over 4 years ago. I was advised policy takes time to change! I was directed to the head of policy for the DVSA who just blew me off with rubbish.
Why has the DFT spokesperson said its inherited it from the last government? the waiting list wasn’t that bad up to July last year, but has got to these ridiculous levels during this government.
The DVSA say there is a shortage of instructors, that’s because we are having to keep pupils months longer as cannot get a test and if they fail cannot get another test for currently 5 months, so we have to keep them on our books.
There’s no screening for candidates, so they all book a test with minimum training as cannot get an instructor or think we’re too expensive, but we’re not with everything we supply and have to pay for, cost of £30 for half hour guitar lesson, £35 for half hour golf lesson. etc etc
The 10 day cancellation period is the DVSA having a laugh, this must increase no shows for tests and the DVSA make more money £124 a test of someone takes that slot, if it was still 3 days someone snaps them up or have a register of instructors and chosen sites and their emails or mobiles to ping to us and we could pick them up first choice if not, the bots would anyway.
I also think that examiners are finding the job harder and feeling more vulnerable with candidate’s turning up with no duel controls fitted and with sub standard cars, some falling to bits and risking their lives with candidates that should not even be going for tests.
On another point, driving standards and anti-social driving standards are getting frightening, taking unnecessary risks and not caring about other drivers or learners.
DVSA are not fit for purpose. They are still not addressing the problem – which is to provide significantly more tests. They have no incentive to change the current situation – they must be making around £5million a year in bank interest on test fees with an average wait time of 20+ weeks – why change?? Its all just window dressing
To help ease the crisis why don’t the DVSA charge £30 extra for an evening (during summer hours) and weekend tests and pay the examiners their hourly rate + £15, some examiners will take up the opportunity to earn more money, this is another step to ease the crisis.
The DVSA could even charge more as there is a demand.
Kind regards
Mark Copeland ADI
Why don’t they have investigators go through FB market place. They should then find out who is scalping and void their bookings.