DVSA to Hire 450 More Driving Test Examiners to Cut Waiting Times
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced plans to hire an additional 450 driving test examiners across Britain in an effort to reduce waiting times for learner drivers.
Currently, the average waiting time for a driving test is four and a half months, which is double the average from nine years ago. In some regions, such as London, learners are facing even longer wait times of up to six months.
To address the backlog and improve efficiency, the DVSA is not only increasing the number of tests it can conduct but also implementing new measures to free up existing test slots.
Starting next month, new terms and conditions will be introduced for driving instructors to prevent them from booking tests for pupils they do not teach or for learners who do not intend to use the test slot. This practice of bulk-booking slots and reselling them at a premium has been deemed unacceptable by former transport secretary Louise Haigh.
In addition, the DVSA will extend the notice period for booking a test without losing the booking fee from three working days to 10, starting next spring. Learners who fail their driving test under specific circumstances, such as multiple serious errors, assaulting an examiner, or failing to attend a test without notification, may face an increased waiting period before retaking the test. The agency is also considering implementing penalties for failing to attend a scheduled test.
Despite these efforts, Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, acknowledges that there is no quick fix to the current situation. She emphasizes the need to address the root causes of the issue, fix the existing system, and build a more robust system for the future.
