The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has confirmed a surprise new rule for driving tests that is now in effect from today. The move aims to create more transparency for learner drivers across the country amid a significant backlog.
New Data Publication
The DVSA has started publishing new data on GOV.UK that provides a more comprehensive view of waiting times than ever before. This data will be updated every month and broken down by each individual driving test centre.
The DVSA will publish six key details: the median average waiting time between booking and taking a driving test, the number of tests provided in a month through driving examiner overtime, and the total number of appointments available over the next 24 weeks of the booking window (measured at the end of the month).
Additionally, the agency will report the total number of tests already booked in that window, the total number of tests still available to book, and the percentage of tests still available to book.
Background and Implementation
Publishing data to accurately reflect actual waiting times for learner drivers was one of the recommendations made by the National Audit Office (NAO) in its report on driving test waiting times. This new data will not replace the existing 10% availability waiting time measure but will be published alongside it. The new data includes actual median waiting times.
Beverley Warmington, DVSA Chief Executive, said: "The public deserve to know how the car driving test service is really performing. That's why, from Thursday 18 June, we'll be publishing additional data to more accurately show the actual experience of learner drivers, following up on a recommendation from the National Audit Office investigation into driving test waiting times."
She added: "This commitment builds on the action we are taking on driving tests, which are having an impact."
