The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has confirmed that the severe backlog in practical driving tests will not be resolved until at least the autumn of next year, extending the wait times that have crippled the system since the coronavirus pandemic. The agency, which has been under mounting pressure from learner drivers and driving instructors, acknowledged that the current waiting list of more than 420,000 tests would take months to clear even with additional examiners and overtime working. The DVSA has recruited 300 new examiners since March and is planning a further 200 by the end of the year, but admits that the impact will not be felt until 2022.
The agency’s chief executive said that the institution is “working as hard as possible” to increase capacity, but the sheer volume of demand means that candidates will continue to face delays of up to 20 weeks in some areas. The announcement comes as the transport select committee prepares to scrutinise the DVSA’s handling of the backlog, with MPs questioning whether the agency had underestimated the demand for tests after lockdowns were lifted. Industry figures have warned that the extended delays risk pushing up insurance premiums for young drivers who are forced to wait longer for a licence, and may deter some from taking driving lessons altogether.
The DVSA said it would prioritise tests for people who need a licence for employment, such as NHS workers and delivery drivers, but acknowledged that the vast majority of candidates would have to wait. The agency has also suspended the option to book tests for cash, a change that was introduced temporarily in 2020 and has now been made permanent, further limiting flexibility for candidates. The backlog is a direct consequence of the pandemic, when driving tests were suspended for five months last year.
Since resuming in July 2020, the DVSA has cleared some 200,000 tests but has been unable to keep up with the surge in demand from people who delayed their tests during lockdown. The agency said it would continue to review its operations and hoped to reduce wait times where possible, but warned that the system would remain under severe strain until the autumn of 2022.
