Learner drivers are facing waits of up to four months for a driving test as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to clear a significant backlog. New data shows that in June, the average waiting time between booking and taking a test was 17.3 weeks or longer at 60 test centres across Great Britain.
Backlog and Waiting Times
Steve Gooding, director of the organisation, commented on the situation, saying: "Greater transparency from the DVSA about the realities of getting a driving test booking at individual centres is to be welcomed. The picture that emerges shows where management attention is most keenly needed in order to get the waiting time back down. A four-month wait between making the booking and taking the test is still way longer than the DVSA ultimately hopes to achieve."
The DVSA has acknowledged the frustration, with a spokesperson stating: "Our latest data shows the median waiting time for Great Britain was 10.7 weeks in June 2026. Test slot availability was at its highest point since November 2024 and the pass rate remains above 50 per cent. But we recognise how frustrating it is for every learner who has to wait longer for their test date. That's why we're continuing to put more tests into the system, with almost 280,000 extra tests carried out since June 2025."
Advice for Learner Drivers
With long waits continuing, Tom Stenson, Deputy Chair and Head of Training at the ADINJC (Approved Driving Instructors National Joint Council), which supports and represents driving instructors across the UK, suggests learners use the extra time to build real-world driving experience rather than simply preparing to pass the test.
Tom says: "Rather than seeing the waiting period as lost time, learners have an opportunity to become more than someone capable of passing a driving test. They can become drivers who are genuinely prepared for the realities of independent driving. Instead of repeatedly driving the same familiar routes, learners could use the additional time to experience a broader range of driving environments, including rural roads, dual carriageways, busy town centres, night driving, adverse weather, heavy traffic and unfamiliar routes. These are the experiences that prepare drivers for real-world driving, not simply for a driving test."
Impact and Next Steps
The DVSA's efforts to reduce waiting times include adding more tests to the system, with nearly 280,000 extra tests conducted since June 2025. However, the average wait of 17.3 weeks or longer at 60 centres indicates that many learners will still face significant delays. The organisation continues to monitor availability and aims to bring waiting times down to its target level, though no specific timeline has been provided.
