Learner drivers in the UK will need to provide more notice if they wish to cancel or reschedule a practical test, as part of measures to reduce the backlog for slots. The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that from April 8, changes can only be made up to 10 working days before a booked slot, compared with the current three working days.
The DfT hopes this will encourage learners to wait until they are ready to pass before booking a test and prompt people to withdraw from tests earlier, increasing the likelihood their slot can be filled by another candidate. This change forms part of a seven-point plan aimed at reducing driving test waiting times.
Additional measures include the recruitment and training of 450 driving examiners and the introduction of stricter terms and conditions for the service instructors use to book and manage tests for their students. As of December 18, the waiting time for a driving test was nearly 21 weeks in England, over 15 weeks in Scotland, and 13 weeks in Wales.
Various factors have contributed to the backlog, including coronavirus lockdowns and industrial action by examiners.
Lilian Greenwood, minister for the future of roads, said: “The measures announced today are another vital step in tackling the driving test backlog and ensuring that more learners who are ready to take their test can do so without unnecessary delays. These new measures will ensure that driving test appointments are used efficiently, encouraging learners to make adjustments to their schedules sooner, should they not be fully prepared.”
Amidst a climate of overpriced driving test slots being sold by third parties at several times the official rate, the fight against exploitation continues.
With standard driving tests costing £62 on weekdays and ramping up to £75 during evenings and bank holidays, reports have surfaced of slots being hijacked through software and resold at inflated prices by opportunistic sellers. The issue stems from slots being block-booked as soon as they’re posted on the Government’s site, only to be flipped for profit to those desperate to get their licence.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is pushing to slash waiting times down to seven weeks by December, according to Loveday Ryder, DVSA chief executive, who said: “We remain committed to reducing driving test waiting times and supporting learners in getting on the road when they are truly ready and safe to do so.”
A closer look at recent Government data reveals a staggering statistic; within the year leading up to March 2024, a total of 93,204 practical car driving tests were someone’s sixth or more attempt to secure a pass, highlighting the compounded pressures candidates face in these testing times.
