Some people used the Easter Monday bank holiday as a chance to have a much-needed lie-in. Not Stephen Dawes, who set his alarm for 05:45. It wasn't to start work or to catch a train - he just wanted to book his driving test. When he logged into the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) website, he entered an online queue "almost like buying a festival ticket", he says. "I was number 11,000 in the queue." The 26-year-old, who lives in Newcastle, started learning to drive in February. His instructor told him about a month ago tobook his practical test, but each time Stephen looked, the only slots available were in Berwick-upon-Tweed or Scarborough, both more than an hour's drive away. After looking online, he discovered the trick was to log on at 06:00 on Mondays, when the DVSA releases new slots. But some people say it takes several weeks of trying to secure one. Stephen's experience reflects those of other learner drivers across the UK, who tell BBC News they're on a road to nowhere with getting a driving exam booked during an ongoing test backlog. Some are even paying for apps that alert them when slots become available. BBC Verify found this week that theaverage waiting timeacross the 319 driving test centres in Great Britain was 22 weeks, with three-quarters of centres hitting the maximum average wait time of 24 weeks. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander haspledged to reduce the average waiting timeto no more than seven weeks by summer 2026, a deadline the government had previously set for the end of 2025. She said the current situation was "totally unacceptable" and that ministers would aim to clear the backlog with measures such as doubling examiner training capacity and reintroducing overtime pay incentives. Pauline Reeves, the DVSA's director of driver services, told the BBC the organisation had "made significant progress" in reducing wait times since last December but customers were not yet seeing this. Jodie Johnston, a driving instructor in Exeter, likens booking a test to the infamous annual scramble to buy tickets for Glastonbury Festival - and says some learners in London, where demand can be even higher, are travelling 200 miles to take their tests in Devon. "It's easier to pass a test than book a test at the moment," adds Ali Slade, a driving instructor in Farnham. One consequence of the long wait list is that many learners are trying to book their practical exam far in advance, despite DVSA advice stating that learner drivers should book it when they're "test-ready". And when learners eventually get a slot, for some it's so far in advance that they're having to fork out extra money on refresher lessons. Some learners say they're also worried about their theory tests expiring as they only last for two years - and you need one to take a practical test. Many driving schools have long waiting lists for lessons - Ali says hers is about seven months. It can therefore be difficult for learner drivers to align finding an instructor, passing their theory test, and booking a practical exam. This was the experience of Ella Davis, 26, from Leeds, who says her instructor told her to book her test as soon as she started learning. "I had to book way before I was ready for a test and just guess when I would be ready," she says. Even then, when she looked, she struggled to find any slots in her area or at the right time. In the end, she booked a test for several months away, and then paid £18 for a mobile app that allowed her to change her test to an earlier date, in April 2024, so she wouldn't have to keep paying for more lessons when she already felt ready. Apps like these alert users when slots become available through other learners cancelling their tests. The DVSA says it does not endorse any apps that find cancellations. "It just felt like the only way," Ella says. Lauren Devlin had put off using these apps, but she's worried she will soon be left with little choice. "It felt a bit scammy to me… but at this point, I may just have to try," she says. Lauren, 37, got her driving licence in New Jersey, US, when she was 16. When she first moved to the UK, she relied on public transport to get around - but she's decided she would now like the freedom of being able to drive. Lauren estimates she's already spent about £2,000 on driving lessons, two theory tests and one practical test in summer 2024 that she failed. She has another test scheduled for August, for which she had to wake up early on multiple Monday mornings to join the online queue before she was able to book. But she's worried about what happens if it gets cancelled, or if she fails, as her theory certificate only lasts until next March. So, what's the cause of the current situation? A DVSA spokesperson has blamed an "increase in demand and a change in customers' booking behaviour" for the backlog. DVSA datashows that the number of people taking practical driving tests plummeted during waves of lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. There was then a surge in between September 2023 and March 2024, but the number of tests being taken is now similar to pre-pandemic levels. Just under 450,000 practical driving tests were taken between July and September 2024, the most recent data shows. The DVSA also says thatbots have been buying up some test slotsand thenreselling themat inflated prices. The agency says a high-speed consultation in May will aim "to improve the booking system and block bots from accessing tests". For some people, the difficulty of booking a test is just too much stress. Libby Murphy says she's "just given up" after failing her test in February, having had two previous tests cancelled by the test centre (the DVSA says it only cancels tests in "exceptional circumstances" and then offers the first available test in the area). Libby, who is 26 and lives in Liverpool, says she's had more than 100 hours of lessons and feels her decision to abandon it will harm her career aim of being a runner in the film industry. As she puts it: "I've spent grands and grands and I've gotten nowhere."
Trying to book a driving test 'like buying a festival ticket', say learners
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"UK Learner Drivers Face Long Waits and Booking Challenges for Driving Tests"
Bbc News
6.9
TruthLens AI Summary
The ongoing backlog of driving test appointments in the UK has become a significant concern for learner drivers, with many likening the experience of booking a test to the frenzy of purchasing festival tickets. Individuals like Stephen Dawes, who woke up early to secure a slot, found themselves in a virtual queue of over 11,000. This scarcity of available tests has forced learners to consider distant locations like Berwick-upon-Tweed or Scarborough, which are over an hour's drive away. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has reported an average waiting time of 22 weeks across its 319 test centres, with three-quarters of these centres reaching the maximum wait time of 24 weeks. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has acknowledged the situation as “totally unacceptable” and has committed to reducing wait times to no more than seven weeks by the summer of 2026. This initiative includes measures such as increasing examiner training capacity and reintroducing overtime pay incentives to expedite the process.
As learners navigate this challenging landscape, many are resorting to mobile applications that alert them to available slots, often paying for the service to circumvent the lengthy wait. Despite the DVSA not endorsing these apps, users like Ella Davis have found them necessary to avoid further expenses on lessons while awaiting test dates. The rise in demand for driving tests, coupled with behavioral changes in booking, has exacerbated the backlog. This trend follows a significant drop in practical test bookings during the COVID-19 lockdowns, with a surge occurring afterward, but current test numbers have returned to pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, the DVSA has identified that bots are purchasing test slots and reselling them at inflated prices, prompting plans for a consultation aimed at improving the booking system. The emotional toll on learners is evident, with some, like Libby Murphy, feeling overwhelmed and considering giving up altogether after numerous cancellations and failed attempts. This situation highlights the urgent need for reforms within the driving test booking system to alleviate the stress and inconvenience faced by learner drivers across the UK.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the challenges faced by learner drivers in the UK who are struggling to secure driving test appointments amidst a significant backlog. It emphasizes the unusual lengths to which individuals are going to book their tests, comparing the online queuing experience to purchasing festival tickets. The narrative draws attention to the frustrations of both learners and driving instructors, illustrating a broader systemic issue within the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
Public Sentiment and Perception
The article aims to generate empathy among readers for learner drivers and to highlight the inadequacies of the current system. By presenting individual stories, such as that of Stephen Dawes, it creates a relatable and emotional appeal that underscores the urgency of the situation. The language used evokes a sense of frustration and injustice, which could mobilize public opinion against the government’s handling of the driving test backlog.
Government Accountability
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander's comments about the "totally unacceptable" wait times are positioned to hold the government accountable. This suggests an intention to push for reform and improvement in public services. The promise to reduce waiting times to no more than seven weeks by summer 2026 indicates a commitment to addressing the backlog, although the extension of the deadline raises concerns about the government's ability to deliver.
Underlying Issues
While the article focuses on learner drivers, it may obscure broader issues within the public sector, such as staffing shortages or budget constraints that contribute to the backlog. By concentrating on individual experiences, the article might detract from discussing systemic problems that need addressing.
Manipulative Elements
The article does exhibit some elements of manipulation, primarily through its emotional storytelling and selective emphasis on personal anecdotes. While these narratives are valid, the framing may lead readers to overlook the complexities of the situation, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on driving test availability. The urgency created by personal stories might overshadow a more nuanced discussion of the challenges faced by the DVSA.
Comparative Context
This news piece can be compared with other stories regarding public service inefficiencies, such as those related to healthcare wait times. The commonality in these narratives points to a larger trend of public dissatisfaction with government services. This article may resonate particularly with communities affected by similar bureaucratic delays, such as new drivers or families waiting for essential services.
Potential Impacts
The article could influence public sentiment towards driving regulations and the government’s management of public services. If the frustrations of learner drivers resonate widely, it may lead to increased pressure on the government to expedite reforms. Additionally, it could affect local economies, particularly driving schools and related businesses that rely on timely access to driving tests.
Target Audiences
This article likely appeals to young adults, parents of new drivers, and driving instructors who are directly affected by the delays. It seeks to engage those who are frustrated with bureaucratic inefficiencies and who may advocate for change.
Market Implications
On a broader scale, this article might not have a direct impact on stock markets or financial sectors; however, it could affect businesses associated with driving education and testing services. Companies that develop apps for alerting users about test slots may see increased interest and engagement.
Global Context
While the article focuses on a UK-specific issue, it reflects broader themes of governmental efficiency and public service management that are relevant in many countries today. As governments worldwide grapple with post-pandemic recovery, similar narratives may emerge elsewhere.
In conclusion, this article primarily serves to inform the public of the ongoing challenges faced by learner drivers in the UK while holding the government accountable for the backlog in driving tests. Its emotional appeal and presentation suggest a strategy aimed at mobilizing public support for systemic changes.