Driving test shortages are causing fury among rural drivers and learners, who face significantly higher costs to obtain a licence. West Lindsey District Council has decided to write to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to request a review of the availability of practical driving test opportunities for its residents.
Council Motion Sparks Action
The decision was backed by councillors following a motion proposed by Councillor Lesley Rollings at a full council meeting this month. Councillor Jackie Brockway, Leader of West Lindsey District Council, will send a letter to the DVSA, with copies to Sir Edward Leigh MP for Gainsborough and the Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, for their information.
Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Rollings highlighted the challenges faced by young people in rural areas. She stated: “Young people living in rural districts such as West Lindsey face significant barriers when accessing employment, education, and training due to limited public transport.
“The nearest practical driving test centres for residents are currently located in Lincoln and Scunthorpe. As a result, learner drivers from towns such as Gainsborough must pay for extended driving lessons simply to travel to and practise around these locations.
“This significantly increases the cost of learning to drive and places many young people and low-income residents at a disadvantage. In rural communities, the ability to drive is often essential for accessing employment opportunities, apprenticeships, and further education.”
The motion was debated by councillors and seconded by Councillor Trevor Young.
DVSA Response and National Backlog
A spokesperson for the DVSA acknowledged the ongoing issues, stating: “We know there's still more to be done.” The agency has taken steps to increase test availability, including an additional test allowance scheme introduced in June 2025, which has led to 149,532 more tests compared to the same period the previous year.
However, a December report from the National Audit Office warned that learner drivers still face months of delays in booking practical tests due to a longstanding backlog that is unlikely to be cleared before 2027. The DVSA is also making changes to the booking process to make it fairer and to clamp down on businesses that resell tests at inflated prices.
