The UK's driving test backlog will persist until autumn next year, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has confirmed. Speaking to MPs on Wednesday, June 17, Alexander acknowledged the frustrations of those facing long waits and emphasized that the government has taken significant steps to address the issue, though demand remains exceptionally high.
Current Waiting Times
According to figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the average waiting time to book a test in May was nearly 22 weeks. This is a stark increase compared to approximately five weeks in February 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted services.
Government Targets and Challenges
The DVSA initially aimed to reduce the average waiting time to seven weeks by the end of last year. However, Alexander pushed this target back to this summer but admitted last November that even that deadline would not be met. Giving evidence to the Transport Select Committee, she stated: "Realistically, this is going to take a long time to sort this problem out." She added: "I think by the autumn of next year we should be back down to the seven-week aspiration that we've got."
Measures to Tackle the Backlog
Alexander assured the committee that the government is taking the issue seriously. Efforts include recruiting more driving test examiners and accelerating their training. Additionally, military examiners are being utilized, and the booking process is being reformed to prevent misuse. The Transport Secretary noted that since May 12, swap volumes have decreased by 70%, and refund volumes have fallen by about a third, suggesting a reduction in speculative bookings and subsequent rebookings.
Alexander concluded by reiterating the goal: to return to a system where individuals booking a test do not have to wait months for an appointment.
