The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has issued a warning that motorists could face a six-month wait to obtain a driving licence, as learners grapple with a backlog of over five months for driving tests. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander acknowledged that the problem will not be resolved until next year.
Backlog could last until autumn 2025
According to DVSA figures, the current waiting time for a driving test has ballooned to more than five months. Labour Party Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told a Committee of MPs on Wednesday that she understood people's frustrations but insisted the government has taken significant steps to address the issue. However, she admitted that "demand is still very high" and acknowledged there was still a lot of work to do.
Ms Alexander stated: "Realistically, this is going to take a long time to sort this problem out, and I think by the autumn of next year we should be back down to the seven-week aspiration that we've got." She added: "My aspiration is to get us back down to a point where, when someone is booking a test, they're not having to wait months on end to get one, which is the situation for some people in some locations at the moment."
DVSA clamps down on tout scams
A BBC investigation in December found some driving instructors were being offered kickbacks of up to £250 a month to sell their login details to touts. In response, the DVSA is implementing a series of rule changes to crack down on the practice.
New measures include making it illegal for anyone other than the learner driver (including driving instructors or third-party services) to book, manage, or change a driving test. Using unofficial cancellation finder websites, apps, or services that scan the DVSA booking system is strictly prohibited.
Since March, learners are only allowed to make two changes (such as altering the date/time or swapping appointments) to an existing booking. If more changes are needed, they must cancel and rebook. Additionally, since last week, tests can only be moved to the three nearest test centres to where the current test is booked.
Instructors and learners feel the strain
One driving instructor told the BBC: "One of my students just failed and he was in tears because his parents are going to have to pay over £500 for another test. It's a vicious cycle." He expressed anger at other instructors potentially involved in tout schemes, saying: "We're out here trying to work, making ends meet, and these guys are sat at home making hundreds and hundreds of pounds."
The DVSA has vowed to continue its enforcement actions to ensure fair access to driving tests and reduce the backlog. The agency advises learners to only book tests through official channels and to report any suspicious activity.
