The Government has drafted in military examiners to help clear Britain’s record-breaking driving test backlog - now at crisis point five years after the Covid pandemic first disrupted the system.
Since test centres were shut in 2020, a growing queue of learners has struggled to book slots. Despite multiple interventions from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) - including weekend tests, rehiring retired examiners and updating the booking system - more than 660,000 people are still waiting for their practical test.
Military examiners to conduct 6,500 extra tests a month
In a move described as “decisive action”, the Department for Transport (DfT) confirmed that 36 Defence Driving Examiners will be seconded from the Ministry of Defence from early next year. Working one day a week, they will deliver an additional 6,500 car tests per month in the areas facing the longest delays.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said Labour had “inherited an enormous backlog” and that the new measures would “help learners get on the road sooner.”
The DfT said the military examiners - who usually test service personnel on everything from cars to armoured carriers - will focus mainly on car tests but can also assist with HGV and bus licences if needed.
Cracking down on test reselling and scams
Alongside the military deployment, the Government announced a clampdown on the black market for driving test slots.
With the average waiting time now 21.8 weeks, scammers have been bulk-booking tests using bots and reselling them to desperate learners for up to £300 a slot - nearly five times the official fee.
A weekday test costs £62 via the DVSA website (£75 at weekends or evenings), but freedom of information data shows more than £134,000 has already been lost to booking scams this year.
To stop this, the DfT will ban third parties from booking tests on behalf of learners and limit each person to two rearrangements before a cancellation is triggered. Test bookings will also be tied to a small number of local centres to prevent resale abuse.
RAC Foundation’s Steve Gooding said the reforms will reassure learners “they aren’t being elbowed aside by those simply seeking to make a quick buck.”
Industry calls for long-term action
AA Driving School managing director Emma Bush welcomed the military support but warned the problem runs deeper:
“This will relieve short-term pressure, but we need long-term, sustained action to bring waiting times back to pre-Covid levels,” she said. “Recruitment and retention of examiners are key to delivering more tests sustainably.”
Backlog hits record high
DVSA figures show that by the end of September, 668,128 learners had a practical test booked - a 15% rise on last year, despite examiners conducting 14% more tests in the same period.
Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden criticised the Government’s handling, claiming:
“The only thing Labour have managed to drive up are the waiting times. Calling in the military just to keep the system moving shows they’ve run out of ideas.”
Learners paying the price
Meanwhile, recent data from the AA Driving School revealed the extraordinary persistence of some test-takers: one learner passed their theory test on the 75th attempt, spending £1,725 on fees, while another took 127 attempts before finally passing.
Others have failed their practical test over 30 times, costing thousands more.
The Government insists that bringing in military examiners will help to ease pressure on the system, reduce fraud, and restore fairness for the UK’s frustrated learner drivers.
