The government has delayed its target for reducing driving test waiting times, pushing the goal to autumn 2025, as the backlog of candidates continues to grow. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) announced the revised timeline on Tuesday, acknowledging that earlier benchmarks had not been met.
According to official figures, the average waiting time for a practical driving test in England currently stands at 20 weeks, more than double the pre-pandemic average of 8 weeks. In some regions, particularly London and the South East, candidates face delays of up to six months.
The DVSA had initially pledged to cut waiting times to 8 weeks by the end of 2024. However, a combination of factors including a shortage of examiners, ongoing industrial action, and a surge in demand has rendered that target unachievable.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the government was “committed to tackling the backlog” but acknowledged that progress had been slower than anticipated. “We are recruiting more examiners and extending testing hours, but the scale of the challenge requires a realistic timeline,” he told Parliament.
The DVSA has recruited over 300 new examiners in the past year, but attrition rates remain high, with many experienced staff leaving for other roles. The agency also faces a significant number of retirements in the coming months.
Industry bodies have criticised the delay. The AA said the move was “deeply disappointing” and warned that young drivers in particular were being penalised. “Learner drivers are already facing inflated insurance costs and limited access to lessons. This backlog adds another layer of frustration,” said AA president Edmund King.
The RAC Foundation echoed those concerns, noting that the waiting times could have knock-on effects for road safety. “People may be tempted to drive without a licence, which is both illegal and dangerous,” said director Steve Gooding.
The DVSA said it would continue to offer priority bookings for candidates who need a test for employment reasons, but acknowledged that this would not fully address the imbalance.
Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh described the delay as “a damning indictment of the government’s failure to manage basic public services”. She accused ministers of “cutting corners and lacking urgency”.
The announcement comes as the number of people taking driving tests in the UK has surged to record levels, with over 1.8 million tests conducted in the last financial year. The DVSA expects demand to remain high for the foreseeable future.
The new target of autumn 2025 means that many learners who book tests now will face waits of more than a year. The DVSA advises candidates to book well in advance and to check for cancellations, which are released daily.
The agency has also trialled technology to automate some test elements, such as the independent driving section, but these measures have yet to significantly reduce wait times.
In a statement, the DVSA said: “We recognise the frustration that long waiting times cause and we are doing everything we can to address this. The revised timetable is realistic and based on current capacity projections.”
The government has not announced any additional funding to tackle the backlog, prompting speculation that further delays may be unavoidable.
