In the current landscape of learner driving tests in the UK, a significant backlog has created challenges for many aspiring drivers. This issue became particularly evident during the Easter Monday bank holiday when Stephen Dawes, a 26-year-old Newcastle resident, woke up at 5:45 AM, not to prepare for work or catch a train, but to secure a booking for his driving test. Upon logging into the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) website, he found himself at an astonishing positionnumber 11,000 in the online queue. Stephen began his lessons in February, and his driving instructor advised him to book his practical test around a month ago. However, every time he checked the available slots, the only options were located in Berwick-upon-Tweed or Scarboroughboth of which require over an hours drive.

In an effort to combat the extensive waiting period, Stephen discovered that the trick was to log on promptly at 6 AM on Mondays when the DVSA releases new test slots. Yet, many others have reported spending weeks attempting to secure a booking. This frustrating situation is reflective of a broader crisis affecting learner drivers throughout the UK, who have found themselves caught in a seemingly endless wait for driving exams. Some individuals have even resorted to purchasing applications designed to notify them when slots become available.

According to a report by BBC Verify, the average waiting time for practical driving tests across the 319 driving test centres in Great Britain has reached a staggering 22 weeks. Alarmingly, three-quarters of these centres report hitting the maximum average wait time of 24 weeks. In response to this crisis, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has committed to reducing average waiting times to no more than seven weeks by the summer of 2026a revised deadline from the government's original target of the end of 2025. Alexander has deemed the current situation totally unacceptable and stated that the government will pursue several measures to address the backlog, including doubling the training capacity for examiners and reintroducing overtime pay incentives.

Pauline Reeves, the DVSA's director of driver services, shared with the BBC that the organization has made significant progress in reducing wait times since December. However, she acknowledged that customers have yet to experience the benefits of these improvements. Jodie Johnston, a driving instructor based in Exeter, equated the race to secure a driving test slot to the notorious scramble for Glastonbury Festival tickets. In extreme cases, some learners in London, where demand is particularly intense, are traveling distances of up to 200 miles to take their tests in locations like Devon. Ali Slade, another driving instructor from Farnham, remarked, Its easier to pass a test than book a test at the moment.

The implications of this extensive waitlist are profound. Many learners feel compelled to book their practical exams long before they are actually prepared, despite DVSA advisories recommending that individuals should schedule their tests only when they are test-ready. When a slot finally becomes available, the wait is often so prolonged that learners find themselves needing to pay for additional refresher lessons to maintain their driving skills. The situation is further complicated by concerns over the expiration of theory test certificates, which are valid for only two years; learners must pass their theory test before they can take the practical exam. The long wait times for driving lessons have also exacerbated the problem, with some driving schools reporting waiting lists of up to seven months.

For Ella Davis, a 26-year-old woman from Leeds, the situation has been particularly frustrating. She recalls her instructor encouraging her to secure her test as soon as she began her lessons. I had to book way before I was ready for a test and just guess when I would be ready, she admitted. Despite her efforts, Ella struggled to find slots in her area that matched her schedule. Eventually, she managed to book a test for several months in the future but felt compelled to pay 18 for a mobile app that allowed her to adjust her test date to an earlier time, in April 2024. This would help her avoid incurring additional costs for lessons while she felt adequately prepared. Such apps, which alert users when slots become available due to cancellations by other learners, have become a crucial resource, though the DVSA has stated that it does not endorse any of these services. Ella expressed her frustration, saying, It just felt like the only way.

Similarly, Lauren Devlin, 37, has been hesitant to use these applications, apprehensive that they might be scams. Yet, as her own situation becomes more pressing, she feels she might have no choice. Originally from New Jersey, Lauren obtained her driving license at 16, but upon moving to the UK, relied heavily on public transportation. Now, she yearns for the freedom that comes with driving. To date, she estimates she has spent around 2,000 on driving lessons, two theory tests, and one practical test she failed in summer 2024. With another test scheduled for August, Lauren has found herself waking up early on multiple Monday mornings just to queue online. Her concerns linger, particularly about the possibility of cancellations or failures, which could jeopardize her theory certificate that is valid only until March of the following year.

So, what exactly is behind the ongoing backlog in driving tests? A spokesperson for the DVSA attributed the situation to an increase in demand and a change in customers booking behavior. Data from the DVSA indicates that the number of individuals taking practical driving tests drastically fell during the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021. Following this decline, there was a surge in testing between September 2023 and March 2024, but the most recent statistics show that the volume of tests being conducted has reverted to pre-pandemic levels. As of the latest data, nearly 450,000 practical driving tests were conducted between July and September 2024. Additionally, the DVSA has raised concerns over the interference of bots that purchase available test slots only to resell them at inflated prices. To combat these issues, the DVSA has announced plans for a high-speed consultation in May aimed at improving the booking system and preventing bots from accessing available tests.