Learner drivers face rising frustration as the sensible driving check backlog hits an unprecedented 603,352, in line with newly analysed DVSA knowledge.
Figures from the PA information company present practically 100,000 extra assessments are booked in comparison with the identical time final yr, up from 521,190 in April 2024. But, regardless of rising demand, fewer assessments are being performed. Between January and April 2025, 610,000 assessments had been accomplished – a 15% lower from the 718,000 assessments in the identical interval final yr.
This decline follows a short lived enhance in examiner numbers between October 2023 and March 2024, when DVSA reassigned workers to frontline testing roles. Nonetheless, these assets have since been returned to their authentic duties.
On a optimistic be aware, cross charges are enhancing, suggesting extra candidates are ready till they’re actually test-ready.
DVSA attributes the persistent backlog to each “elevated demand and a change in prospects’ reserving behaviour.”
Authorities Response
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander acknowledged the “huge backlog” inherited by the brand new Labour authorities. She confirmed motion is being taken to make not less than 10,000 further assessments accessible every month, aiming to cut back common ready occasions to seven weeks by summer time 2026.
With present waits averaging 20 weeks, in line with AA Driving College knowledge, pressing reforms are deliberate. A session on driving check reserving system adjustments shall be launched shortly, designed to fight bots mass-booking slots for resale at inflated costs. The session interval shall be shortened to eight weeks to expedite change.
Further measures embody:
- Additional time incentives for examiners to conduct extra assessments.
- Re-deployment of certified DVSA workers again to testing roles.
- Doubling the variety of everlasting trainers for brand new examiners.
Trade Perspective
Final month, Carly Brookfield, CEO of the Driving Instructors Affiliation (DIA) and present chair of the Nationwide Associations Strategic Partnership (NASP), led one other assembly with DVSA’s senior administration group, following an official letter despatched on to the company’s Chief Govt. That letter, shared with ministers and the Transport Choose Committee, didn’t maintain again. It criticised the dearth of progress, the silence from DVSA, and the rising strain on trainers and pupils alike.
“We’ve gone from Groundhog Day to disaster mode,” mentioned Carly Brookfield in a latest video publish. “And the seven-point plan simply isn’t delivering the affect it must. It’s time for DVSA to behave.”
Emma Bush, Managing Director of AA Driving College, mentioned: “Learner drivers have waited lengthy sufficient for enchancment. It shouldn’t be this difficult to guide a driving check. We welcome the brand new measures and hope to see ready occasions ease.”
A Division for Transport spokesperson added: “The backlog is unacceptable. We’re taking decisive motion to make sure prepared learners can guide assessments extra rapidly, supporting alternative and financial progress.”
Initially sourced from The Impartial
