Learner drivers suffer major DVSA blow ahead of test

Learner drivers are waiting up to five months to take their driving test, according to shocking new statistics. Experts have warned that the “situation cannot get much worse” with delays at four out of every five test centres.

New data correct as of May 5, 258 locations in the UK had the maximum possible waiting time of 24 weeks. According to the AA Driving School who obtained the data from the DVSA, this accounts for 81% of all driving test sites. The numbers are apparently up from 161 locations at the start of the year in a major blow for those desperate to secure a driving licence.

Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, stressed the news was "disappointing" for learner drivers keen to get on the road. It comes after Labour pledged to dramatically cut down waiting times with new rules coming into force earlier this Spring.

Emma said: "With the vast majority of driving test centres now showing waits at the maximum the system will allow, the situation cannot get much worse. New measures designed to start bringing down waiting times were implemented at the start of April by the DVSA.

"There are signs of recovery though, putting both the industry and learners on tenterhooks for more signs of improvement in the coming months.

"While we would expect these changes to take a few months to show a positive impact, it is still disappointing to see that learners are continuing to face an uphill battle when it comes to booking their driving test."

Last year, the DVSA promised to recruit and train 450 driving examiners across the UK. Officials had also promised to review and improve the driving test booking system and increase the amount of notice motorists need to give to change or cancel a test.

Under the new rules, learner drivers must give up to 10 full working days’ notice to make changes to their tests. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander claimed Labour appeared to point fingers at the Conservatives, stressing the party had "inherited an enormous backlog".

But, she claimed officials were "acting fast" to fix the issue with a target of reducing the average wait times to just seven weeks by next summer. Earlier this year, Lilian Greenwood, the Minister for the Future of Roads, stressed that new rules would cut down on “unnecessary delays”.

She explained: “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.”