Learner drivers in Britain face record waiting times for practical driving tests, according to new research.
AA Driving School’s analysis of Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) data shows the average wait time has jumped to 20 weeks in February, up from 14 weeks a year ago. Many learners now wait five months for a test.
The number of test centres with the maximum 24-week wait has nearly doubled, rising from 94 to 183. This backlog makes it even harder for learners eager to get on the road.
The DVSA aims to cut the national average waiting time to seven weeks by the end of the year. However, as of February, only 14 test centres meet or exceed this target, underscoring the scale of the problem. Longer wait times add pressure on learners, who already struggle with lesson costs and a shortage of instructors.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced steps to address the backlog. From Tuesday, April 8, learners can only change a test appointment up to 10 working days before their slot, instead of the current three. Officials hope this will encourage learners to book only when they are ready, freeing up slots for others.
DfT is also running a campaign to recruit and train 450 new driving examiners.
Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, welcomes the DVSA’s goal of reducing wait times to seven weeks by December 2025. She emphasises the importance of meeting this target, saying:
“There are rising numbers of young people who are economically inactive. Reducing driving test wait times is essential to ensure a lack of a licence doesn’t become a barrier to education and employment. The most effective way to achieve this is by increasing test availability through hiring more examiners.”
Recent DfT statistics highlight the impact of the backlog. The proportion of 17 to 20-year-olds in England with a driving licence has dropped from 35% in 2019 to 29% in 2023. At the same time, the percentage of 18 to 24-year-olds in the UK not in education, employment, or training has risen from 12.4% in late 2019 to 15.8% by the end of last year.
A DVSA spokesperson acknowledges that practical test wait times remain high due to increased demand and low confidence in test availability, which has altered booking behaviour.
“We continue working on our seven-point plan to reduce wait times and encourage learners to book only when their instructor agrees they are ready. Since launching the plan in December 2024, we have made progress in recruiting and training 450 new driving examiners across Great Britain.”
