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More than 135 learner drivers in Scotland’s fastest-growing town are struggling to book their driving tests, facing average wait times of nearly six months, according to new data.
Gordon and Buchan MP Harriet Cross has written to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) over growing concerns about what she calls a “deepening crisis” in Inverurie and across the north-east region.
The Inverurie and District Driving School Association, representing 27 instructors, reported that about 135 learners are currently unable to book practical tests in the area, with wait times stretching to around half a year.
This situation comes as UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has promised to eliminate the backlog by next summer, despite earlier DVSA commitments to reduce wait times to seven weeks by the end of this year. She announced plans to bring qualified DVSA staff back to conducting tests and to reintroduce overtime incentives for examiners to help speed up the process.
Ms. Cross stressed the urgent need for action, highlighting the significant impact on rural communities where driving is often essential due to long travel distances and limited public transport. She said the delays are causing distress and holding people back from education, work opportunities, career advancement, and maintaining social ties. She plans to formally question the DVSA on what specific steps they are taking to address the situation in Aberdeenshire.
Pauline Reeves, DVSA’s Director of Driver Services, acknowledged that although steps have been taken since December 2024 to tackle the issue, customers are yet to see significant improvements. She expressed hope that recent initiatives, including expanding training capacity for new examiners, would soon start making a difference.
Currently, Scotland's average waiting time for driving tests stands at 20.5 weeks — lower than the 21.7-week average across Great Britain and England's 22.4 weeks, but longer than Wales' 15.6 weeks.
The DVSA releases test appointments weekly within a standard 24-week booking window, though a few centres are trialling an extended window.
In addition to the new measures announced this week — such as doubling training capacity and calling for qualified volunteers to help clear the backlog — the DVSA’s December 2024 seven-point plan also included recruiting 450 examiners, tightening booking rules, and promoting better test preparation through the 'Ready to Pass?' campaign.
So far, five new examiners in Scotland have already started conducting tests, with another five currently in training.
DVSA research reveals that around 23% of learner drivers attempt their first driving test within just one month of beginning lessons.
Through its campaign, the DVSA aims to guide learners on the skills they must master, offer advice on managing test-day nerves, promote taking realistic mock tests, and explain what to expect during the actual driving test.
They are also urging learners who aren't fully prepared to consider postponing their test to a later date.
