Learner drivers face rising frustration as the sensible driving check backlog hits an unprecedented 603,352, in line with newly analysed DVSA knowledge.
Figures from the PA information company present almost 100,000 extra assessments are booked in comparison with the identical time final 12 months, up from 521,190 in April 2024. But, regardless of rising demand, fewer assessments are being performed. Between January and April 2025, 610,000 assessments have been accomplished – a 15% lower from the 718,000 assessments in the identical interval final 12 months.
This decline follows a short lived improve in examiner numbers between October 2023 and March 2024, when DVSA reassigned workers to frontline testing roles. Nonetheless, these sources have since been returned to their authentic duties.
On a optimistic observe, go charges are bettering, suggesting extra candidates are ready till they’re really test-ready.
DVSA attributes the persistent backlog to each “elevated demand and a change in prospects’ reserving behaviour.”
Authorities Response
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander acknowledged the “huge backlog” inherited by the brand new Labour authorities. She confirmed motion is being taken to make at the least 10,000 extra assessments obtainable every month, aiming to scale back common ready instances to seven weeks by summer time 2026.
With present waits averaging 20 weeks, in line with AA Driving Faculty knowledge, pressing reforms are deliberate. A session on driving check reserving system modifications will probably be launched shortly, designed to fight bots mass-booking slots for resale at inflated costs. The session interval will probably be shortened to eight weeks to expedite change.
Further measures embrace:
- Time beyond regulation incentives for examiners to conduct extra assessments.
- Re-deployment of certified DVSA workers again to testing roles.
- Doubling the variety of everlasting trainers for brand new examiners.
Business Perspective
Final month, Carly Brookfield, CEO of the Driving Instructors Affiliation (DIA) and present chair of the Nationwide Associations Strategic Partnership (NASP), led one other assembly with DVSA’s senior administration workforce, following an official letter despatched on to the company’s Chief Government. That letter, shared with ministers and the Transport Choose Committee, didn’t maintain again. It criticised the shortage of progress, the silence from DVSA, and the rising strain on trainers and pupils alike.
“We’ve gone from Groundhog Day to disaster mode,” stated Carly Brookfield in a current video submit. “And the seven-point plan simply isn’t delivering the impression it must. It’s time for DVSA to behave.”
Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving Faculty, stated: “Learner drivers have waited lengthy sufficient for an enchancment to the prolonged ready instances to safe a sensible check slot, it shouldn’t be this tough to ebook your driving check.”
A Division for Transport spokesperson added: “The present backlog going through learner drivers is totally unacceptable, however we’re taking decisive motion to deal with the scenario inherited from the earlier authorities.”
Initially sourced from The Unbiased
