Latest news with #DVSA
Daily Record
21 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Exact driving test waiting times in Scotland as DVSA figures show major delays
Learner drivers in the UK are currently facing lengthy waits to sit their test British learner drivers are now being forced to wait an average of more than five months to sit their driving test with figures showing an increase in waiting times for practical tests. According to figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the average waiting time across all test centres is now 22.3 weeks, up from 14 weeks in February 2024. The DVSA blames the backlog on increased demand and claims some learner motorists are booking their tests much earlier than before. Waiting times vary across the country and are down to various factors including examiner availability and population density. In Scotland, the average waiting time for a driving test is currently around 21.9 weeks. This is based on the latest figures from the DVSA, which indicate that the average waiting time is the number of weeks until 10% of tests are available to book at a test centre. While Scotland waiting times are slightly lower than the current national average, it is still a lengthy wait for learners to be able to sit their test and get on the road. In March, we reported that waiting times for learner drivers were currently at an average of 20 weeks. In April, the BBC reported that learners in rural parts of Scotland were struggling to book tests in their areas, with people resorting to trying to book tests in other parts of the country. A spokesperson for DVSA said: 'Anyone who chooses not to work within our strict and very clear booking terms and conditions will be subject to investigation, and could lose the ability to book tests for learners. 'DVSA's goal is to make booking a driving test easier and fairer for learner drivers, and we're really grateful to everyone who has responded to our recent consultation on improving driving test booking rules for learners. 'We're now analysing the survey responses, and will be planning out our next steps on improving car test booking rules in due course.' Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, said: "With the vast majority of driving test centres now showing waits at the maximum the system will allow, the situation cannot get much worse. "There are signs of recovery, though, putting both the industry and learners on tenterhooks for more signs of improvement in the coming months." She added: "While we would expect these changes to take a few months to show a positive impact, it is still disappointing to see that learners are continuing to face an uphill battle when it comes to booking their driving test. What measures are being taken to reduce waiting times? The Department for Transport (DfT) has previously announced a series of measures aimed at tackling the backlog. It is now only possible to make changes up to 10 working days before a booked test slot, compared with three working days previously DfT officials hope the move introduced in April will continue to encourage learners to wait until they are ready to pass before they book a test, and encourage people to cancel tests sooner if not, meaning there is a greater chance their slot can be taken by someone else. Learners will still be able to apply for a refund in cases such as illness or bereavement. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. There is also a campaign to recruit and train 450 new driving examiners, with an ongoing drive for recruitment. The DVSA also previously announced they were running a consultation on new proposals to increase the amount of time people have to wait to book another test if they either: make multiple serious or dangerous faults during their driving test physically or verbally assault their driving examiner fail to attend their driving test without telling DVSA - and consider charging them a penalty Learner drivers currently have to wait 10 working days before being able to book another test. The consultation, which will launch at a later date, will set out the full details of the potential options. Speaking when the plans were announced earlier this year, Emma said: 'We are pleased the DVSA has laid out its plans to reach an average waiting time of seven weeks by December 2025, and wholeheartedly support their goal. 'It is crucial efforts to meet this target are effective and result in this significant reduction. There are rising numbers of young people who are registered as economically inactive. 'Bringing down driving test waiting times is vital to ensure a lack of driving licence does not become an ongoing barrier for young people trying to access education and employment. 'The most effective way to ensure waiting times are brought down is to increase the number of test slots available by increasing the overall number of driving test examiners.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Driving test warning as top school warns situation ‘cannot get much worse'
Learner drivers across Britain are facing waits of more than five months to book a test, with new figures revealing that four out of five test centres have the maximum possible waiting time. As of 5 May, 258 locations – 81 per cent of all sites – had a 24-week backlog for a driving test, a significant increase from 161 at the start of the year. AA Driving School, which obtained the data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), warned that the situation "cannot get much worse". The average waiting time across all test centres has now reached 22 weeks, up from 14 weeks in February 2024. The DVSA attributes the delays to a surge in demand and candidates booking tests much earlier than previously. Officials hope that an increase in the number of tests conducted will help to reduce these extensive waiting times. The number of future bookings in the DVSA's system was 122,000 higher in June compared with the same month last year. Public spending watchdog the National Audit Office recently announced it will investigate the 'root causes' of delays to booking tests, and 'how the DVSA is responding'. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said in April the Labour Government 'inherited an enormous backlog' but was 'acting fast'. She told the Commons Transport Select Committee her department aimed to reduce the average waiting time to seven weeks by summer 2026. A Government consultation on amending the test booking system closed last week. This featured a plan aimed at stopping bots mass-booking new slots so they can be resold on the black market for inflated prices. The Department for Transport also instructed the DVSA to offer additional overtime payments to incentivise instructors to conduct more tests. Staff at the agency qualified to conduct tests are being asked to voluntarily return to the front line, while the number of permanent trainers for new examiners is being doubled. Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, said: 'With the vast majority of driving test centres now showing waits at the maximum the system will allow, the situation cannot get much worse. 'New measures designed to start bringing down waiting times were implemented at the start of April by the DVSA. 'There are signs of recovery though, putting both the industry and learners on tenterhooks for more signs of improvement in the coming months. 'While we would expect these changes to take a few months to show a positive impact, it is still disappointing to see that learners are continuing to face an uphill battle when it comes to booking their driving test.' DVSA chief executive Loveday Ryder said: 'DVSA's goal is to make booking a driving test easier and fairer for learner drivers. 'We are making progress on our plans. 'We're really grateful to everyone who has responded to our recent consultation, including learners, parents and driving instructors. 'We're now analysing the survey responses. 'Using your feedback, we'll be able to plan our next steps on improving car test booking rules.'
The National
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The National
Labour accused of 'dithering' over huge driving test waiting times
Fresh figures show learner drivers are being forced to wait more than five months to book a slot at four out of five test centres. Some 258 locations in Britain had the maximum possible waiting time of 24 weeks for a test as of May 5, which is 81% of all sites. That is up from 161 at the start of the year. Driving tests are a reserved matter under the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). AA Driving School, which obtained the figures from the DVSA, warned the situation 'cannot get much worse'. READ MORE: Petition to repeal Online Safety Act reaches 340K signatures – how to sign The average waiting time across all test centres has reached 22 weeks, up from 14 weeks in February 2024. The SNP have now accused Labour of leaving Scottish learner drivers "in limbo". MSP George Adam said: "Learner drivers across Scotland are being left in limbo, unable to access work, education or essential travel, all because Labour at Westminster has failed to get a grip on this spiralling backlog. "Labour promised action, but what we've seen is delay, dithering, and excuses. Their new target is not only too late, it's an admission that they've already broken their promise to learners. 'While officials scramble to fix Labour's mess, Scottish young people and families are paying the price. This is yet another clear example of how Westminster control is failing Scotland." Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander (below) said in April the Labour Government 'inherited an enormous backlog' but was 'acting fast'. (Image: Jonathan Brady) She told the Commons [[Transport]] Select Committee her department aimed to reduce the average waiting time to seven weeks by summer 2026. A Government consultation on amending the test booking system closed last week. This featured a plan aimed at stopping bots mass-booking new slots so they can be resold on the black market for inflated prices. The Department for Transport also instructed the DVSA to offer additional overtime payments to incentivise instructors to conduct more tests. READ MORE: Donald Trump praises 'fantastic' Labour crackdown on immigration Staff at the agency qualified to conduct tests are being asked to voluntarily return to the front line, while the number of permanent trainers for new examiners is being doubled. Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, said: 'With the vast majority of driving test centres now showing waits at the maximum the system will allow, the situation cannot get much worse. 'New measures designed to start bringing down waiting times were implemented at the start of April by the DVSA. 'There are signs of recovery though, putting both the industry and learners on tenterhooks for more signs of improvement in the coming months. 'While we would expect these changes to take a few months to show a positive impact, it is still disappointing to see that learners are continuing to face an uphill battle when it comes to booking their driving test.' DVSA chief executive Loveday Ryder said: 'DVSA's goal is to make booking a driving test easier and fairer for learner drivers. 'We are making progress on our plans. 'We're really grateful to everyone who has responded to our recent consultation, including learners, parents and driving instructors. 'We're now analysing the survey responses. 'Using your feedback, we'll be able to plan our next steps on improving car test booking rules.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
The long wait learner drivers face to book their test
Learner drivers in Britain face significant delays, with 81 per cent of test centres (258 locations) reporting the maximum 24-week waiting time for driving tests as of 5 May. The average waiting time across all test centres has increased to 22 weeks, up from 14 weeks in February 2024. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) attributes the backlog to increased demand and early bookings, prompting an investigation by the National Audit Office. The government aims to reduce the average waiting time to seven weeks by summer 2026 and has consulted on measures to prevent bots from mass-booking and reselling test slots. Efforts to tackle the backlog include offering additional overtime payments to examiners and doubling the number of permanent trainers for new examiners.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Learner drivers forced to wait five months for test slot
Learner drivers are being forced to wait more than five months to book driving tests, figures reveal. Some 258 locations – 81 per cent of all sites – in Britain had the maximum possible waiting time of 24 weeks for a test as of May 5, up from 161 at the start of the year. AA Driving School, which obtained the figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), said that the situation 'cannot get much worse'. The average waiting time across all test centres has increased to 22 weeks, up from 14 weeks in February 2024. Higher demand and people booking their tests earlier are behind the surge in waits. Officials hope an increase in the number of tests being conducted will bring waiting times down. The number of future bookings in the DVSA's system was 122,000 higher in June compared with the same month last year. Public spending watchdog the National Audit Office recently announced it will investigate the 'root causes' of delays to booking tests, and 'how the DVSA is responding'. Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, said in April that the Government 'inherited an enormous backlog' and has said that her department aims to cut the average waiting time to seven weeks by next Summer. A Government consultation which closed last week featured a plan aimed at stopping bots mass-booking new slots so they can be resold on the black market for inflated prices. Additional overtime payments The Department for Transport also instructed the DVSA to offer additional overtime payments to instructors. Staff at the agency qualified to conduct tests are being asked to voluntarily return to the front line, while the number of permanent trainers for new examiners is being doubled. Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, said: 'With the vast majority of driving test centres now showing waits at the maximum the system will allow, the situation cannot get much worse. 'While we would expect [the DVSA's] changes to take a few months to show a positive impact, it is still disappointing to see that learners are continuing to face an uphill battle when it comes to booking their driving test.' Loveday Ryder, the DVSA chief executive, said: 'DVSA's goal is to make booking a driving test easier and fairer for learner drivers. We are making progress on our plans.'
