In recent years, the waiting times for practical driving tests in the UK have increased, with the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) struggling to keep up with the demand. As we all know, COVID-19 and lockdowns put the world to a near halt in 2020. The DVSA had to cancel and postpone so many tests countrywide, which in turn created a backlog of people waiting to get back to lessons, theory tests and practical exams.
Today, the effects of this disruption are still felt due to the increase in people wanting to learn to drive and the demand for driving instructors. The DVSA reported that as of October 2023, the average national waiting time for a driving test was 18.8 weeks, with a 6 month plan to decrease this time and an aim of creating 150,000 extra tests and by introducing more instructor and examiner availability to help more learners progress in 2024.
As of the end of January 2024, the DVSA reported that they have provided just over 100,000 extra driving tests toward this target and the waiting time down to 15.1 weeks.
While this shows that there is some progress being made, and driving tests are a high priority, it is important to remember that the figures are based on the national average and don't accurately represent the waiting times in your particular area or local test centre. This figure can also fluctuate over a period of a few months, so it could trend the opposite way depending on upcoming demand for driving tests.
There are currently 36 test centres with waiting times up to 9 weeks, 103 test centres with waiting times from 10-23 weeks and 104 test centres with waiting times of 24 weeks. This shows how varied the waiting times are all over the country and it can benefit you to check your local test centre for more accurate times.
So, what does this mean for a learner driver?
This issue with knowing these generalised waiting times is it can induce a sense of panic and wanting to book the practical driving test well in advance. Problems then arise when a test is booked too early, and perhaps the learner is not fully ready when the time comes.
What this means is that the test date they booked is potentially being held for up to 24 weeks. It may result in a failed test, or a last minute cancellation. This then begins the cycle of limited test availability for those who need it and creating a higher demand once more.
How can you help to combat this cycle?
One of the main things being promoted by the DVSA is the "Ready to Pass" campaign. The purpose introduces a simple checklist of questions to ask yourself before booking your test, with an instruction on how to cancel or rearrange your test if you recognise that you are not ready.
Check you're ready to pass.
You'll usually be ready to take your driving test when:
- You do not need prompts from your driving instructor.
- You do not make serious or dangerous mistakes when you're driving.
- You can pass mock driving tests.
- You have practised ways of managing your nerves.
- Your driving instructor agrees you are ready.
More information on this can be found at readytopass.campaign.gov.uk
Increasing your chances of passing your driving test the first time comes down to preparation, regular lessons and being organised. You can book your theory test 3 months in advance and should do this when you have a good idea of how long you will be in the learning stage of driving. It needs to be taken before the main practical test.
A Faster Way to Take Your Test
Driving is a skill many of us want to master straight away as soon as we turn 17. It offers so much independence and may even be a necessity to open up more opportunities for employment further afield.
Learning to drive does take time and patience though, and although there are some people who are more comfortable seeing the lessons through at their own pace and are happy to wait for their driving test, no matter how long it takes, you may be wondering if there is a faster way to get to test level and how book a test date as quickly as possible.
For this there are a few options, however they don't necessarily mean you will pass quicker, and it is still encouraged to only take your test when you are definitely ready.
Change Test Centres
This can be a great option if it is viable, as it is possible there may be a shorter waiting time in a different location. For example, in the North East of England, there are areas with waiting times currently under 13 weeks. Wales (nationally) has an average waiting time of under 15 weeks.
It is worth checking to see availability at other locations but only when it makes sense to book further away. You may not be familiar with the area you would have to take your test which could make you more nervous on the day of your test. You would also have to check your driving instructor would be available for more time on the day to go further away from their normal area.
You should really consider these options before deciding if changing test centres is a good option for you.
Intensive Driving Courses
The DVSA states that it takes a person on average 47 lessons to pass their test. Based on an hour or 2 a week, this can obviously take up more time than you may be hoping for if you are looking to pass your test soon. So, when it becomes a viable option, an intensive driving course could be the way to get to test stage as quickly as possible.
In doing this, you should be prepared for an upfront financial cost which ultimately puts a lot of people off taking this option. It also means making the time available to see the course through which may mean time away from work or other commitments.
On the other hand, most intense driving courses offer a test at the end, so this boosts the appeal. The course still involves one-to-one tuition, however many involve around 5 hours a day of driving in the space of one or two weeks. You must still take and pass your theory test before or during this time and then will be fast tracked to your driving test at the end of the course.
Be aware of driving schools that guarantee a 'pass' at the end of the course as this is not an accurate promise. You can still fail your test but will be encouraged to continue learning through them until you pass your test.
If you decide to take this route of learning to drive and take your test, ask for an assessment before committing to the time frame so the instructor can gauge which course length would be suitable for you.
Test Cancellations
The third option is to sign up to a driving test cancellation website where they do the work for you in finding you a test date sooner than the one you have booked already.
People cancel their tests for a number of unforeseen reasons in all locations, so this takes advantage of these newly opened dates and lets you know when something becomes available.
It's quite simple to navigate a test cancellation website, you would complete your details, current test date and location and let them know any other locations or test centres that you would be happy to go to for your test.
They use their database to search for any upcoming tests through cancellations and give you the option to book automatically or wait to see if the date and location works for you. It is advisable to check your notifications often as dates can be swept up quickly, and you will only get a limited amount of time before the date they have found is released again.
This takes a lot of the hard work out of finding a faster test, leaving you to continue with lessons or tighten up any skills and theory practice to ensure that if you do sweep up a quicker test date, you are confident and ready to take it.
You can find more information on test cancellations at findmeadrivingtest.co.uk
So, whether you are currently just thinking about learning to drive or are impatiently waiting for your test date to come around, there are always options for you to beat the queues and get on the road faster. Just make sure to follow DVSA guidance if you are unsure and always speak to your instructor to confirm that you are ready! Good luck!