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Driving Test Availability
16 October 2024
Lead MP
Peter Swallow
Bracknell
Lab
Responding Minister
Lilian Greenwood
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Word Count: 8818
Other Contributors: 13
At a Glance
Peter Swallow raised concerns about driving test availability in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I urge the Minister to set out steps to end financial abuse from test touting, investigate opening a new test centre in my constituency, and ensure more learners pass first time. Additionally, I welcome action on car insurance premiums which have increased by 21% since June 2022.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Driving test delays have tripled since records began in 2015. New learners now face an average wait of over five months, causing significant logistical hurdles and real-world costs for constituents like Molly who must retake her theory due to the two-year limit. Others travel long distances or use black market services to secure a slot. Businesses also struggle with getting tests for minivans and lorries, exacerbating the problem.
Adam Jogee
Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
The Member discussed inadequate public transport and the impact on constituents' ability to secure subsequent driving tests after initial failures, citing five-month delays and stress for those in Madeley and Betley.
Amanda Martin
Lab
Portsmouth North
Discussed long wait times in Portsmouth, noting an average of 24 weeks since 2023 compared to eight weeks before the pandemic. Mentioned the financial and emotional toll on constituents unable to book tests promptly and highlighted issues with bot software reselling slots at high prices.
David Williams
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent North
My hon. Friend highlighted the significant backlog in driving tests required to qualify as a driving instructor.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Mr Smith highlighted the long waiting times for driving tests, impacting young people's social and economic mobility in rural areas. He criticised third-party profiteering from the backlog and urged urgent action despite the previous Government's efforts to increase test availability.
Helena Dollimore
Lab Co-op
Hastings and Rye
Helena Dollimore discussed the pressing issue of long waiting times for driving tests in Hastings and Rye. She mentioned that new parents, people with caring responsibilities, and those with business needs are struggling to secure timely appointments. She welcomed the Labour Government's commitment to addressing this issue as a priority.
Jas Athwal
Lab
Ilford South
Mr. Athwal intervened to acknowledge the importance of the debate, agreeing with Mr. McKenna's points about industrial-scale fraud. He cited examples of stark discrepancies in test availability between different locations and raised concerns over premium prices charged by driving instructors for local tests.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon highlighted that the issue of driving licences and test availability is not limited to one constituency but affects the whole United Kingdom. He pointed out long waiting times in Northern Ireland, where a staff member waited four and a half months for a test date. He also mentioned concerns about car insurance costs being excessively high for young drivers, sometimes four times the value of their cars. Mr Shannon asked whether the Minister had contacted the Northern Ireland Infrastructure Minister to exchange ideas on addressing driving test issues.
Julie Minns
Lab
Carlisle
Ms. Minns discussed the significant delays her constituents face, with a wait time of five months for a test in Carlisle compared to one month in Dumfries. She suggested greater flexibility in moving driving test assessors and asked for improved responses from the DVSA when IP addresses are blocked due to bots. She also raised concerns about delays in medical assessments by the DVLA.
Kevin McKenna
Lab
Sittingbourne and Sheppey
Mr. McKenna highlighted the difficulty his constituents face in securing driving tests, particularly mentioning a case of a police officer candidate who could only find a test months away due to limited availability in her area. He expressed concern over areas with significant transport blackspots, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions and addressing issues like ticket touting which exploit public services.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Stressed the importance of driving tests for mobility and economic benefits, highlighting severe backlogs in Reading with some constituents having to travel significant distances like Cheshire or Cornwall. Raised concerns over the closure of the Elgar Road South test centre scheduled for spring 2025 and uncertainty about a new location.
Paul Kohler
Lib Dem
Wimbledon
He highlighted the long wait times for driving tests, exacerbated by the closure of 26 test centres since 2015. A black market has arisen where individuals pay over three times the normal price to book a driving test. He also mentioned that over 700 NHS staff are waiting to take essential driving tests, affecting their ability to perform critical roles.
Rosie Wrighting
Lab
Kettering
The national waiting time for driving tests is about four and a half months, but in Kettering it rose to six months. Both instructors and pupils are frustrated by the lack of test availability and cancellations. Driving test slots often sell on social media for up to £250 due to scarcity.
Shaun Davies
Lab
Telford
The average waiting time for a driving test in the Midlands and South-West is over 21 weeks, which is highest among all regions. This delays access to employment and training opportunities, particularly affecting young people who rely on car access for work. He noted that in Telford there are only two driving test assessors for a population of half a million. He criticised the previous government for not doing sufficient succession planning and recruiting more assessors.
Government Response
Lilian Greenwood
Government Response
Congratulated the hon. Member for Bracknell on securing the debate, thanked contributors, and highlighted the challenges faced by learner drivers due to long waiting times. Discussed DVSA's efforts to recruit more driving examiners and increase test capacity, prevent test tourism, and protect learners from unscrupulous opportunists. Mentioned initiatives such as the Ready to Pass? campaign and ongoing work to address planning permission issues for test centres.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.