Drivers face being forced off road for 'six months' due to DVLA delay Motorists face staying off the road for six months due to a DVLA six-month delay, according to experts. Drivers face being forced off road for 'six months' due to DVLA delay Learner drivers have been warned over half UK test centres have a six-month test delay. Motorists face staying off the road for six months due to a DVLA six-month delay, according to experts. Speaking to the motoring publication Autocar, Lorna Lee, spokesperson for AA Driving School, explained: "During all those lockdowns, driving tests are one of the things that were stop-start because of various restrictions at different points. ‌ "It’s understandable how [the driving test backlog] built up because you ended up with people who had been hoping to take their tests and then they couldn’t, or they couldn’t have lessons. Article continues below READ MORE UK set for NEW hottest day of year with exact date next week announced "There was pent-up demand as we all came out of lockdown and things got back to normal, but that pent-up demand has never been satisfied." ‌ Lots of people who are not ready to take their driving test leave it until the last moment to change or cancel it. That appointment then becomes available to other learner drivers. But as it’s so close to the test date, it can be hard for people who are ready to pass to make all the necessary arrangements to use the appointment. This can lead to appointments going unused. DVSA is urging learner drivers to cancel their driving test if they cannot attend, rather than just not turning up. During 2024, about 60,000 appointments were wasted because people did not turn up for their test. That’s the same number of tests that 45 full-time driving examiners can do in a year. Article continues below Labour Party Minister for Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said: "Driving is more than just a means of transport; it is a lifeline for many, opening doors to jobs, opportunities and ultimately contributing to the growth of our economy. "The measures announced today are another vital step in tackling the driving test backlog and ensuring that more learners who are ready to take their test can do so without unnecessary delays. "These new measures will ensure that driving test appointments are used efficiently, encouraging learners to make adjustments to their schedules sooner, should they not be fully prepared."