Highs, Lows and Queues

The UK continues to grapple with a significant backlog in car driving tests, with average waiting times stretching to nearly 21 weeks in England, over 15 weeks in Scotland, and 13 weeks in Wales.

Despite concerted efforts by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to alleviate delays, the test demand remains high, leaving many learner drivers in limbo.

However, first-time pass rates remain relatively high (48.1% – 2023/24 compared to 47.9% 2013/14), but more interestingly, the number of first-time passes with zero faults is 20,573 compared to 6,534 the previous decade .

Gender disparities were evident, with 48.1% of female candidates passing, compared to 43.9% of male candidates.

Find the latest stats here.

Volumes and pass rates

Between July and September 2024, the DVSA conducted 449,000 practical driving tests, marking a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

The pass rate during this quarter remained steady at 48.9%.

Earlier in the year, from January to March 2024, there was a notable surge in testing activity, with 561,000 practical tests administered—a 25% rise from the previous year.

However, the pass rate dipped to 47.0% during this period, down from 48.1% in the corresponding quarter of 2023.

Official Initiatives

The number of drivers waiting to sit their test quadrupled during Covid-19 lockdowns.

At the end of August 2020, the queue of learners awaiting an available practical driving test slot was 147,716.

By August 2021, waiting numbers had mounted to 592,987 – and the DVSA has been unable to tackle the problem effectively.

The only significant dip recorded was between October 2023 and March 2024 due to an above-average volume of tests being taken.

This was because the agency had temporarily deployed all eligible staff from other roles to act as examiners as part of a stream of measures to tackle the backlog.

It also included bringing former driving test examiners out of retirement, extending driving test availability to weekends, and even opening the doors to HGV test centres for passenger car tests.

In their latest response to the prolonged waiting periods, the DVSA has implemented a seven-point plan to increase test availability and streamline the booking process.

Key measures include the recruitment and training of 450 additional driving examiners and the introduction of 10,000 extra test slots per month starting May 2025.

Additionally, from April 8, 2025, the notice period required to cancel or reschedule a driving test without forfeiting the fee was extended from 3 to 10 working days.

Unfortunately, previous attempts to recruit more examiners and bring qualified examiners back to the front line (retired examiners and those who have moved into management roles), as well as increasing testing hours and weekend slots, have been undermined by the numbers leaving the profession, often citing poor pay and conditions amongst other reasons.

The DVSA’s target to reduce waiting times to seven weeks by the end of 2025 has been revised, with officials now aiming for summer 2026.

Growing problems

Britain’s ever-growing backlog of learners waiting to sit their driving test has now surpassed 600,000 – a record.

Some 603,352 future practical driving tests were booked as of the end of April, according to the PA news agency’s analysis of Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) figures.

That is up 16% from 521,190 this time one year ago.

However, DVSA records show that the number of tests conducted over the first four months of this year is 15%  lower than the same period in 2025 (610,000 compared to 718,000).

The latest official statistics suggest that learners are better prepared than ever to sit their tests, with April’s overall pass rates up to 50.2%, which is growing from 48.3% in April 2024.

It’s the highest pass rate recorded since August 2021 (50.3%).

Reasons or excuses?

The DVSA previously attributed the backlog to ‘an increase in demand and a change in customers’ booking behaviour’.

This backlog has been exacerbated by automated bots that book and resell test slots at inflated prices, making it difficult for genuine learners to secure appointments.

In response, the government plans to crack down on such practices and reform the booking system to prevent exploitation, though this will take some time and investment before results become a reality.

The prolonged delays have significant implications for learner drivers, particularly those in rural areas where access to test centres is limited.

Many have reported difficulties in booking tests, with some paying up to £150 for a slot that should cost £62.

The situation has also affected employment opportunities, as a driving licence is often a prerequisite for specific jobs.

The proportion of 17 to 20-year-olds holding a full driving licence dropped from 35% in 2019 to 29% in 2023.

Looking Ahead

The DVSA remains committed to addressing the backlog and improving the testing process.

Ongoing efforts include enhancing the ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign to ensure learners are adequately prepared before booking their tests.

Looking at the latest statistics, especially the number of zero fault passes, implies that the campaign has had an effect in encouraging candidates to be fully prepared for the driving test before applying.

However, with 603,352 future practical driving tests booked as of the end of April, according to analysis of DVSA figures, changes to waiting times seem a long way down the road.

NASP, the driving instructor representative body, has again asked the DVSA and government minister for answers and clarity over practical and effective solutions the issues.