BBC Verify has found that three quarters of the 319 driving test centres across Great Britain have hit the maximum average waiting time - of 24 weeks - to book a practical test. This is the backdrop to thegovernment's announcementof measures to deal with the delays, which include training more driving examiners and dealing with the issue of bots - automated software - booking up test slots. The driving tests backlog has been largely building since the Covid pandemic and has been rising since Labour came to power. BBC Verify obtained data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) - the body that runs driving tests - in a Freedom of Information request. The data reveals that as of 24 March 2025: Millie Moyler from Buckinghamshire is nearly 19 years old and has been learning to drive for almost two years. She has been trying to book a test since September 2023. She says it has been a "strain" on her mental health. Her mum Sara is in a WhatsApp group where she says "hundreds of tests are being sold every week for all locations" at a cost of £200 a test. Theofficial driving test feeis £62 for weekdays and £75 for evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Neither Millie nor her mum wish to take this route saying it is "morally wrong" and "compounds the problem". "It's been a ridiculous process," she says. "Driving is a basic life skill and it shouldn't be this much of a problem." She has now managed to book a test for July, but is worried that if she fails it she will have to wait another two years and keep having to pay for lessons in the meantime to keep her skills up. Waiting times have increased sharply since the pandemic. At the start of 2020 the average waiting time was six weeks. Driving tests were suspended completely several times during the Covid outbreak, while there were other times when they were only available for emergency workers and key workers. That took the average waiting time up to 15 weeks by the end of the pandemic. The DVSA also says that people are booking their tests much earlier in the learning process meaning they are not always ready by the time their test comes up. It encourages learners - through its 'Ready to Pass?' campaign - to only book their driving test when their instructor agrees they are ready. Nonetheless, waiting times rose considerably in early 2023. Then there was a temporary fall from October 2023 when the government announced that for six months qualified examiners who were not at the time giving tests would be redeployed. The government has now announced that redeployment will happen again and overtime payments for examiners will be allowed. The government has also been talking about how it will tackle bots, which are automated programmes that can find and secure available test slots more quickly than individual customers. The DVSA has urged people not to buy test slots through social media channels, warning that they may be scams and that people could have to pay more for a test than the official fee. In January, the government changed the test-booking rules so that: Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has now announced she will be launching an "accelerated consultation" in May to improve the booking system and block bots from accessing tests. Tests are made available 24 weeks - almost six months - in advance. It's not possible to book more than 24 weeks in advance. The average waiting time is the number of weeks it will be at a test centre until 10% of tests are available for a particular week. For example, in a test centrewith 175 tests available each week, the average waiting time is the first week when 18 or more appointments are still available to book. What do you want BBC Verify to investigate?
Three quarters of driving test centres hit maximum wait time, data reveals
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Majority of UK Driving Test Centres Face 24-Week Wait Times"
Bbc News
8.0
TruthLens AI Summary
A recent investigation by BBC Verify has revealed that approximately 75% of the 319 driving test centres across Great Britain are experiencing maximum average waiting times of 24 weeks to book a practical driving test. This situation has prompted the government to announce various measures aimed at alleviating the delays, including the training of additional driving examiners and addressing the challenges posed by automated software, commonly referred to as bots, which have been monopolizing test slots. The backlog in driving tests has significantly worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the situation has continued to escalate since the Labour government took office. Data obtained from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) through a Freedom of Information request indicates that, as of March 24, 2025, learners are facing unprecedented challenges in securing test appointments. For instance, Millie Moyler, a nearly 19-year-old learner from Buckinghamshire, has been trying to book a test since September 2023, highlighting the mental strain this situation has caused her. Despite the official test fee being £62 for weekdays, she reports that hundreds of tests are being sold on platforms like WhatsApp for up to £200, a practice she and her mother find morally objectionable.
The average waiting time for driving tests has seen a dramatic increase since the beginning of 2020, when it was only six weeks. The pandemic led to multiple suspensions of driving tests, particularly impacting learners who were not considered emergency or key workers. By the end of the pandemic, the average waiting time had risen to 15 weeks. The DVSA has noted that many learners are booking their tests prematurely, often before their instructors confirm they are ready, which exacerbates the backlog. Although there was a slight decrease in waiting times in late 2023 due to the redeployment of qualified examiners, the government has reiterated its commitment to addressing these issues. New initiatives include launching an accelerated consultation to enhance the booking system and implementing stricter measures against bots that hinder access to available test slots. The DVSA continues to caution learners against purchasing test slots through unofficial channels, warning of potential scams and inflated prices. With the average waiting time calculated based on test availability, the government emphasizes that it is not possible to book tests more than 24 weeks in advance, a policy designed to manage the high demand effectively.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent report sheds light on the significant delays faced by individuals attempting to book driving tests in Great Britain, highlighting a systemic issue that has persisted since the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings reveal that 75% of driving test centers are now at maximum waiting times of up to 24 weeks, raising concerns about the effectiveness of government measures in addressing the backlog.
Public Sentiment and Concerns
The article illustrates the frustrations of young drivers like Millie Moyler, who has been waiting for her driving test for nearly two years. Her experience reflects a broader sentiment of disappointment and stress among those affected by the delays, as it not only hampers their ability to gain essential life skills but also impacts their mental health. The mention of a WhatsApp group where tests are being sold at exorbitant prices further underscores the desperation among learners, revealing a market that thrives on the challenges posed by the backlog.
Government Response and Accountability
The government's announcement of measures to combat the delays, such as increasing the number of driving examiners and tackling automated bookings, raises questions about accountability. The report suggests that the backlog has been exacerbated since the Labour Party came to power, which could be interpreted as a critique of the current administration's handling of the situation. This aspect may aim to shift public opinion regarding governmental efficacy in managing essential services.
Potential Economic and Social Implications
The delays in driving tests can have far-reaching effects on both the economy and social dynamics. Young individuals relying on driving for employment may struggle to secure jobs, leading to broader economic implications. Furthermore, the mental strain on individuals waiting for tests could result in increased demand for mental health services, which may not be adequately prepared to handle a surge in cases.
Target Audiences
This article likely resonates with young adults, parents, and individuals directly affected by the delays. It aims to bring attention to the growing frustration within these communities and potentially mobilize public support for reform.
Market and Political Dynamics
While the immediate focus of this news piece is on driving test delays, it could indirectly influence public perception of the government and its effectiveness, potentially impacting political landscapes and voter sentiment.
Use of AI in Reporting
It is possible that AI tools were utilized in the data aggregation and analysis process of this report. Models that assist in data interpretation could have streamlined the extraction of relevant statistics and trends. However, the narrative appears to be framed in a manner that emphasizes human experiences rather than purely data-driven insights.
Trustworthiness of the Report
The report relies on credible data obtained through a Freedom of Information request, which lends it a degree of reliability. However, the emphasis on specific narratives, such as that of Millie Moyler, may suggest a slight bias aimed at evoking empathy and urgency. Overall, the article is credible but must be viewed through the lens of its intent to highlight systemic issues within the driving test system.