
New record as 600,000 learner drivers are waiting for their driving tests
Analysis of data provided by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has revealed that the backlog of tests has soared beyond 600,000.
A PA news agency investigation reveals that as of the end of April, 603,352 practical driving tests had been booked, with the average waiting time reported separately by the AA as 20 weeks. That is a big increase on the 521,190 tests booked at the end of April in 2022, yet despite the surge in demand the DVSA says it's carrying out fewer tests this year - 610,000 between January and April 2025, compared with 718,000 in the same period in 2024. That amounts to a 15 per cent decrease in test provision by the agency.
Speaking in defence of its record, the DVSA has previously put some of the blame on learners booking tests before they're ready, and putting undue stress on the system. The latest figures show the pass rate has increased to 50.2 per cent from 48.3 per cent in April last year, suggesting learners and instructors have taken heed, but still the waiting lists grow. Advertisement - Article continues below
Heidi Alexander, the Secretary of State for Transport, was grilled by the Transport Select Committee of MPs about the continuing failure of the DVSA to get on top of its test backlog.
She pledged the government is 'acting fast' to deal with the problem, and promised an additional 10,000 tests per month, as well as action to prevent the mass-booking of test slots by computer 'bots' operated by businesses or individuals profiteering from the opportunity to sell appointments on to desperate learners, who can't themselves get a look-in on the DVSA booking website.
Unfortunately, action on the bots is so far limited to a promised 'consultation' on how best to amend the booking system. This has yet to be launched, and there's no sign of any concrete action yet.
'The current backlog facing learner drivers is completely unacceptable, but we are taking decisive action to address the situation inherited from the previous government,' a Department for Transport spokesman told PA. 'Thanks to the intervention of the Secretary of State, an additional 10,000 driving tests will be made available monthly.
'This will ensure ready learners can book their tests more quickly, helping to unlock opportunity and supporting economic growth.'
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The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
10 cheapest new cars to insure in the UK revealed – as one motor could save you hundreds
MOTORING experts have revealed the ten cheapest cars to insure in the UK. The average insurance premium has increased by a whopping 43 per cent year on year from £284 in 2024 to a shocking high of £941. Prices have begun to drop over the past few months but the average quote is now sitting around £834, which is still a huge premium. Experts have now revealed how to get this massive premium down a bit. They've revealed the top ten cheapest cars to insure in the UK to help keep the price of motoring down for everyday Brits. Not only are the motors cheap to insure but they are affordable for anyone looking to pick up a new car. The list consists mostly of hatchbacks and super minis but some SUVs do make an appearance. Skoda Fabia 10 The Fabia is reportedly the cheapest of all UK motors to insure. The little Czech hatchback only costs around £237 a year to insure and can be bought for an impressively low £19,410. Seat Ibiza The Ibiza remains a cheap option since the mark one was introduced to the UK market in 1983. At only £240 a year and £19,795 to buy the little hatchback remains one of the UK's best cheap and cheerful models. Dacia Sandero Costing just £240 a year to insure and a very cheap £13,250 to buy, the Romanian motor offers an excellent option for first time drivers. Only slightly more expensive to insure than the Ibiza the Sandero is a fair sight cheaper to buy than most of the alternatives. Volkswagen Polo 10 The German made Volkswagen Polo is up next with an insurance premium of around £247. A favourite among first time drivers in the UK the Polo costs just £21,210 to buy. Volkswagen T-Cross 10 Surprisingly the SUV style Volkswagen T-Cross came in next, despite being large it can be insured for just £248. A Volkswagen T-Cross could be purchased for around £24,895 and offers the most space on the list, perfect for families. Hyundai i10 10 The first Japanese car on the list, the Hyundai i10, can be insured for only £259 and purchased for a modest £16,380. The most technologically advanced of the motors on this list the i10 offers a slew of futuristic features not available with some of the other options. Kia Picanto The tiny Kia Picanto can be insured for just £250 and bought for only £18,945. One of the smallest motors on the list the quick little car is a perfect option for the city, learners or first time motorists. Kia Stonic 10 Another Kia, the Stonic, though much larger than the hatchback Picanto, can be insured for around the same at £260. Buying one is a fair bit pricier though costing motorists around £20,265. Hyundai i20 10 Not to be confused with the much more powerful i20N the Hyundai i20 can be insured for just £282 and purchased for £20,880. A little larger and more powerful than some other entries on the list the i20 offers a bit of a step up in performance for a bit of a step up in cost. Toyota Aygo X Scraping in at the bottom of the list the Toyota Aygo X can be insured for £307, the only motor on the list to break the £300 mark. It remains relatively cheap to buy however at around £16,515. How to get cheap car insurance CAR insurance is an essential cost that you hope to never use but will need to cover the costs of theft or damage to your vehicle. It's a legal requirement to have car insurance, and going without it could land you with a £300 fine, six penalty points on your licence and even a criminal conviction. But there are several ways to slash your premiums. Pay upfront Insurers give you the choice of paying for insurance monthly or upfront. Paying monthly spreads the cost of your cover but the insurer adds interest charges which means the average motorist pays around ten per cent more overall. If you pay for your car insurance annually you don't pay any interest. A typical motorist can save up to £225 a year by paying in one go, according to comparison site MoneySuperMarket. Increase your excess The excess is what you agree to pay each time you need to make a claim on your policy. You can usually choose your own excess when setting up a policy and it can be as low as £100 and as high as £500 or more. The higher your excess, the lower your premium and vice versa. This means you could bring the cost of your insurance down by agreeing to pay more if you do need to make a claim. But before you hike your excess, make sure you would be able to pay in the event that you do need to make a claim. Tweak your job Certain jobs are seen as more risky than others for insurance purposes. Making small but accurate changes to your job title can save you money. For example, swapping your role from "chef" to "caterer" can save you £20, comparison site GoCompare found. And changing your role from "fast food delivery driver" to "delivery driver" could save you £40. But lying about your job could invalidate your policy so make sure any changes are legitimate and accurate. Shop around Not all comparison sites have the same range of insurers so to get the best price it's a good idea to check two or three from Go Compare, Comparethemarket, MoneySupermarket and Insurer Direct Line is also not on comparison sites so check its prices directly. You can also get a free cash bonus by going via a cashback site such as Topcashback or Quidco. Save the date Renewing your car insurance sooner rather than later could save you some cash. New cover becomes more expensive the closer you get to the renewal date. But you can buy your car insurance up to 29 days before the policy start date and 'lock in' the price you're quoted on that day. A typical driver can save up to £265 buying new cover at least 27 days before their current policy ends, according to Go Compare.


Auto Express
an hour ago
- Auto Express
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Auto Express
an hour ago
- Auto Express
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