Learner drivers face rising frustration as the sensible driving check backlog hits an unprecedented 603,352, in accordance with newly analysed DVSA information.
Figures from the PA information company present practically 100,000 extra checks are booked in comparison with the identical time final 12 months, up from 521,190 in April 2024. But, regardless of rising demand, fewer checks are being carried out. Between January and April 2025, 610,000 checks had been accomplished – a 15% lower from the 718,000 checks in the identical interval final 12 months.
This decline follows a short lived improve in examiner numbers between October 2023 and March 2024, when DVSA reassigned employees to frontline testing roles. Nonetheless, these assets have since been returned to their unique duties.
On a constructive word, cross charges are enhancing, suggesting extra candidates are ready till they’re really test-ready.
DVSA attributes the persistent backlog to each “elevated demand and a change in clients’ reserving behaviour.”
Authorities Response
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander acknowledged the “monumental backlog” inherited by the brand new Labour authorities. She confirmed motion is being taken to make not less than 10,000 further checks obtainable every month, aiming to scale back common ready instances to seven weeks by summer season 2026.
With present waits averaging 20 weeks, in accordance with AA Driving Faculty information, pressing reforms are deliberate. A session on driving check reserving system adjustments shall be launched shortly, designed to fight bots mass-booking slots for resale at inflated costs. The session interval shall be shortened to eight weeks to expedite change.
Extra measures embrace:
- Extra time incentives for examiners to conduct extra checks.
- Re-deployment of certified DVSA employees again to testing roles.
- Doubling the variety of everlasting trainers for brand new examiners.
Trade Perspective
Final month, Carly Brookfield, CEO of the Driving Instructors Affiliation (DIA) and present chair of the Nationwide Associations Strategic Partnership (NASP), led one other assembly with DVSA’s senior administration crew, following an official letter despatched on to the company’s Chief Government. That letter, shared with ministers and the Transport Choose Committee, didn’t maintain again. It criticised the dearth of progress, the silence from DVSA, and the rising stress on trainers and pupils alike.
“We’ve gone from Groundhog Day to disaster mode,” mentioned Carly Brookfield in a current video put up. “And the seven-point plan simply isn’t delivering the influence it must. It’s time for DVSA to behave.”
Emma Bush, Managing Director of AA Driving Faculty, mentioned: “Learner drivers have waited lengthy sufficient for enchancment. It shouldn’t be this tough to e-book a driving check. We welcome the brand new measures and hope to see ready instances ease.”
A Division for Transport spokesperson added: “The backlog is unacceptable. We’re taking decisive motion to make sure prepared learners can e-book checks extra shortly, supporting alternative and financial progress.”
Initially sourced from The Unbiased
