Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleBritain's driving test backlog is now projected to continue until autumn 2027, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has confirmed. The average waiting time for a driving test is currently nearly 22 weeks, a stark contrast to the five-week average before the coronavirus pandemic in February 2020. Ms Alexander acknowledged public frustration, stating that despite efforts, demand for tests remains very high. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency's (DVSA) target to reduce average waiting times to seven weeks has been repeatedly pushed back, with the latest aspiration to achieve this by autumn of next year. Measures being taken include recruiting and faster training of more driving test examiners, using military examiners, and reforming the booking process to combat misuse, which has already led to a reduction in swap and refund volumes. In fullOutrage as driving test backlog expected to last until at least autumn 2027Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Driving test backlog crisis reaches new low – what we know
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleBritain's driving test backlog is now projected to continue until autumn 2027, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has confirmed. The average waiting time for a driving test is currently nearly 22 weeks, a stark contrast to the five-week average before the coronavirus pandemic in February 2020. Ms Alexander acknowledged public frustration, stating that despite efforts, demand for tests remains very high. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency's (DVSA) target to reduce average waiting times to seven weeks has been repeatedly pushed back, with the latest aspiration to achieve this by autumn of next year. Measures being taken include recruiting and faster training of more driving test examiners, using military examiners, and reforming the booking process to combat misuse, which has already led to a reduction in swap and refund volumes. In fullOutrage as driving test backlog expected to last until at least autumn 2027Thank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
