There are a number of reasons why there are such huge waiting times for driving tests
Huge waits for driving tests are only adding to pressures on exam day for learner drivers. Earlier this year City Hall revealed damning stats showing of all 25 test centres in London only three have waiting times of less than 20 weeks for a test: Southall, Greenford, and Erith, with 12 weeks respectively and an 11 week wait at Erith.
The capital’s average waiting time for an exam slot is 22 weeks, with most centres having six month waits. It wasn’t always like this however, a few years ago if you weren’t successful you had to wait around five weeks for another crack.
But with mounting waiting times, desperate learners are now being forced to third party vendors who have been known to charge hundreds of pounds for a DVSA test. MyLondon spoke to Lance Peake about the issue, he is a driving instructor and team manager at Young Driver, the UK’s largest pre-17 driving school, so he knows as well as anyone about the backlog. He told us the pandemic was when everything changed, and without major improvements this is going to be the situation for the foreseeable future.
He also added that bodies block-booking tests and selling them on is major issue which would help soften the backlog blog if banned. Lance said: “The long waiting lists for driving tests have been a problem since Covid, and they’re not going to improve any time soon unless some major changes are made. It’s frustrating for learner drivers and for instructors.
“One big issue is organisations block booking driving tests to sell on to learners – that should be stopped, and it would help free up availability instantly. We’ve heard horror stories of people paying hundreds of pounds for tests, or turning up to a test which has also been resold to three other people. It makes no sense for it to be possible for businesses to make money out of selling these on.”
But it is not solely block booking firms bulk buying the slots, more examiners are needed to get people over the line. An examiner can expect to do up to seven tests a day, lasting 40 minutes each and with 668,128 booked in for tests nationwide, his insistence for more staff is understandable.
Lance said: “More driving examiners are also needed – but it is a high pressure and high responsibility role which isn’t very well remunerated. Many left during Covid, and never came back. Those suitably qualified can earn more and work more flexibly being a driving instructor. So, until they make the role more appealing, they’re going to struggle to recruit.”
He added: “We have youngsters learning with us before they reach 17 so they know they can apply for their test as soon as they pass their theory test after their 17th birthday. Because they’ve already learnt how to drive, they just need a few lessons on the road to make them test-ready, saving them money and time.”
Loveday Ryder, DVSA’s Chief Executive said: “DVSA is taking decisive action to reduce driving test waiting times by making more tests available. We carried out just over 20,000 more tests last month, compared to September 2024.
“While there’s still a long way to go, we’re steadfastly committed to helping drivers ditch their L plates as soon as they’re ready.”
Looking for more from MyLondon? Subscribe to our daily newsletters here for the latest and greatest updates from across London.
