Driving test waiting times in Britain have soared to a record high of 20 weeks, according to damning new research.
This marks a significant increase from 14 weeks a year earlier, based on Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) figures obtained by AA Driving School.
The data from February 2025 reveals the growing challenge facing learner drivers across the country. Nearly twice as many test centres now have the maximum possible waiting time of 24 weeks compared to last year.
The number of test centres with a 24-week waiting time nearly doubled from 94 to 183 over the past year. As of February, only 14 centres had waiting times at or below seven weeks.
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This falls dramatically short of the DVSA's nationwide target, which aims to achieve seven-week waiting times across the country by the end of 2025.
The Department for Transport has announced several measures to address this growing backlog affecting thousands of learner drivers.
From April 8, it will only be possible to make changes to a booked test up to 10 working days before the slot, compared with three working days currently.
DfT officials hope this will encourage learners to wait until they are ready to pass before booking a test.
They also expect it will prompt people to cancel unwanted tests sooner, allowing others to take those slots.
The DVSA has launched a campaign to recruit and train 450 new driving examiners across Great Britain to help tackle the backlog.
Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, said: "We are pleased the DVSA has laid out its plans to reach an average waiting time of seven weeks by December 2025, and wholeheartedly support their goal.
"It is crucial efforts to meet this target are effective and result in this significant reduction.
"Bringing down driving test waiting times is vital to ensure a lack of driving licence does not become an ongoing barrier for young people trying to access education and employment."
Latest DfT statistics show the proportion of 17 to 20-year-olds in England who hold a driving licence fell from 35 per cent in 2019 to 29 per cent in 2023.
This decline in young drivers coincides with rising economic inactivity among youth. The percentage of people in the UK aged 18 to 24 not in education, employment or training increased to 15.8 per cent during the same period last year.
AA Driving School suggests that the most effective solution is to increase the number of test slots by recruiting more examiners.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
A DVSA spokesperson explained: "Car practical test waiting times remain high due to an increase in demand and low customer confidence in driving test availability, resulting in a change in customers' booking behaviour.
"We continue to work on implementing our seven-point plan to reduce waiting times and encouraging learner drivers to only book their driving test when their instructor agrees they are ready."
The spokesperson added that since launching their plan in December 2024, they are making progress towards recruiting and training 450 driving examiners across Great Britain.
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This marks a significant increase from 14 weeks a year earlier, based on Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) figures obtained by AA Driving School.
The data from February 2025 reveals the growing challenge facing learner drivers across the country. Nearly twice as many test centres now have the maximum possible waiting time of 24 weeks compared to last year.
The number of test centres with a 24-week waiting time nearly doubled from 94 to 183 over the past year. As of February, only 14 centres had waiting times at or below seven weeks.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
This falls dramatically short of the DVSA's nationwide target, which aims to achieve seven-week waiting times across the country by the end of 2025.
The Department for Transport has announced several measures to address this growing backlog affecting thousands of learner drivers.
From April 8, it will only be possible to make changes to a booked test up to 10 working days before the slot, compared with three working days currently.
DfT officials hope this will encourage learners to wait until they are ready to pass before booking a test.
They also expect it will prompt people to cancel unwanted tests sooner, allowing others to take those slots.
The DVSA has launched a campaign to recruit and train 450 new driving examiners across Great Britain to help tackle the backlog.
Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, said: "We are pleased the DVSA has laid out its plans to reach an average waiting time of seven weeks by December 2025, and wholeheartedly support their goal.
"It is crucial efforts to meet this target are effective and result in this significant reduction.
"Bringing down driving test waiting times is vital to ensure a lack of driving licence does not become an ongoing barrier for young people trying to access education and employment."
Latest DfT statistics show the proportion of 17 to 20-year-olds in England who hold a driving licence fell from 35 per cent in 2019 to 29 per cent in 2023.
This decline in young drivers coincides with rising economic inactivity among youth. The percentage of people in the UK aged 18 to 24 not in education, employment or training increased to 15.8 per cent during the same period last year.
AA Driving School suggests that the most effective solution is to increase the number of test slots by recruiting more examiners.
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A DVSA spokesperson explained: "Car practical test waiting times remain high due to an increase in demand and low customer confidence in driving test availability, resulting in a change in customers' booking behaviour.
"We continue to work on implementing our seven-point plan to reduce waiting times and encouraging learner drivers to only book their driving test when their instructor agrees they are ready."
The spokesperson added that since launching their plan in December 2024, they are making progress towards recruiting and training 450 driving examiners across Great Britain.
Find Out More...