The average wait time for a driving test has increased by 6 weeks compared to last year, reaching a 20-year high, as per the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). With plans to significantly reduce this delay by the end of 2025, DVSA reported that learners in the UK are facing long waiting times.
The backlog, attributed in part to the Covid-19 pandemic and industrial action, has led to increased demand for tests. Some individuals have even resorted to using automated software to reserve multiple test slots, which are then sold to eager learners seeking to progress.
To address this issue, the DVSA has set a target to cut waiting times to an average of 7 weeks nationwide by the year’s end, a challenging task considering only seven test centers met this target as of February. The agency plans to hire more examiners to conduct simultaneous tests and extend the cancellation notice period to free up slots.
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The prolonged wait for driving tests not only adds stress to the already daunting experience of learning to drive but also impacts job prospects and social lives, particularly for young people. The government aims to alleviate this issue, given the decline in the percentage of 17-20 year-olds holding a full license.
Have your say! Share your experience of the lengthy driving test wait times and how it has affected you or someone you know. Join the conversation and voice your thoughts on this pressing issue.