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Car practical driving test waiting times
18 December 2024
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department for Transport
TAGS
At a Glance
Issue Summary
The statement addresses long waiting times for car practical driving tests across the UK, highlighting the impact on employment opportunities and economic growth.
Action Requested
The government is implementing a robust plan to address this issue by recruiting more examiners, increasing notice periods for test cancellations, reviewing booking rules, strengthening terms for driver training businesses, consulting on penalty fees for those who fail tests or do not attend, exploring longer advance booking options, and expanding the 'Ready to Pass?' campaign. Additionally, DVSA's 2024-2025 business plan is being published.
Key Facts
- Waiting times are at 13 weeks in Wales, over 15 weeks in Scotland, and nearly 21 weeks in England.
- The proportion of 17- to 20-year-olds with a full driving licence dropped from 35% in 2019 to 29% in 2023.
- DVSA provided over two million car driving tests between April 2023 and March 2024.
- An extra 145,000 test slots were created by redeploying managers and administrative staff from October 2023 to March 2024.
- DVSA will recruit and train 450 driving examiners.
- The notice period for changing or cancelling a test without losing the fee will increase from 3 to 10 working days.
- A consultation on introducing longer waiting times for rebooking tests after multiple serious faults is planned.
- Terms and conditions for driver training businesses managing test bookings will be strengthened.
- DVSA’s 2024-2025 business plan is being published.
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