DVSA issue driving test warning as wait times reach 'new high'

The DVSA has issued a warning to anyone planning to book a driving test in the coming weeks, as waiting times at test centres across the UK have reached record highs.

According to new data released by AA Driving School earlier this week, the number of test centres with waiting lists of up to 24 weeks has doubled compared to this time last year. As of February, only 14 centres had waiting times at or below seven weeks—the DVSA’s target average across the country by the end of 2025.

The figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request to the DVSA, show that the average waiting time to book a practical driving test in February was 20 weeks, up from 14 weeks a year earlier.

At the same time, there’s been a noticeable drop in the number of young people holding a driving licence. Recent statistics show that only 29% of 17- to 20-year-olds currently have a licence, compared to 35% before the COVID-19 pandemic. This decline in licence ownership may be linked to broader social issues. For example, the Office for National Statistics reported an increase of 26,000 in the number of young people not in employment or education between October and December 2023, suggesting a potential correlation between lack of access to driving and economic inactivity.

To help tackle the growing backlog, the DVSA is introducing a major policy change. Starting Tuesday, 8 April, anyone wishing to cancel or reschedule a driving test must provide at least 10 full working days' notice. This is a significant change from the current requirement of just three working days and is aimed at reducing last-minute cancellations that contribute to wasted slots and longer wait times.

In addition to the new cancellation policy, the DVSA has also announced plans to recruit and train up to 450 new driving examiners. This move is part of a broader effort to increase testing capacity and ease the backlog.

Emma Bush, Managing Director of AA Driving School, welcomed the DVSA’s strategy and emphasized its importance: “We are pleased the DVSA has laid out its plans to reach an average waiting time of 7 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.

“There are rising numbers of young people who are registered as economically inactive. 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.

“The most effective way to ensure waiting times are brought down is to increase the number of test slots available by increasing the overall number of driving test examiners.”

With changes now on the horizon, learners are being urged to plan well in advance and take note of the upcoming rule changes to avoid delays or disruptions to their driving journey.