Learner drivers face 24-week wait as backlog continues for two more years

Pritti MistryBusiness reporterGetty ImagesThe backlog of driving exams grew after the covid-19 lockdownLearner drivers face months of delays reserving sensible exams as a result of a backlog won’t be cleared till November 2027, a watchdog has warned.The Nationwide Audit Workplace (NAO) mentioned there was a backlog of 1.1 million exams that weren’t carried out within the 2020/21 monetary yr due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and round 360,000 of those had nonetheless not been booked. The typical ready time was 22 weeks in September, however at 70% of check centres the wait has hit 24 weeks – the utmost allowed.The Division for Transport (DfT) mentioned it was “taking decisive motion to deal with the backlog”, together with using navy driving examiners.The Driver and Automobile Requirements Company (DVSA) had deliberate to chop ready occasions to seven weeks by the top of 2025.The NAO’s inquiry discovered delays have led to individuals paying third events to safe exams, a few of whom have been “paying considerably inflated costs of as much as £500” – almost eight occasions the official DVSA price of £62 for a weekday slot.It mentioned the DVSA struggled to “perceive the true demand for exams” as a result of third occasion web sites shortly guide out there slots utilizing automated programmes often called bots.”These delays can have a severe affect on learner drivers’ earnings and the financial system, with 30% of respondents to a DVSA survey saying they want to have the ability to drive for his or her jobs,” the watchdog mentioned.The NAO additionally reported a scarcity of examiners and located many have been leaving “on account of uncompetitive pay and security considerations”. Regardless of working 19 recruitment campaigns since 2021, DVSA has solely employed 83 further examiners, far wanting its 400 goal. Within the 2023/24 monetary yr, DVSA had a complete of 220 employees at its 240 check centres who have been certified examiners.Shiromi Gaughan urged the federal government to “do one thing about this as a result of it’s very unacceptable”Learner driver Shiromi Gaughan, a small enterprise proprietor in London, says she has been attempting to guide a check for the previous eight months since she handed her principle examination two years in the past, and felt “sick” when she came upon it will value her £350 for a slot from a 3rd occasion vendor.She instructed the BBC: “It is actually unfair and I am extraordinarily pissed off. As a small enterprise proprietor from London, I have been actually struggling over time.”Folks like us are simply so determined.”Usually learners should take their sensible check inside two years of passing the speculation check.She urged the federal government to “do one thing about this as a result of it’s very unacceptable”.She added: “I believe the federal government must evaluation the entire system as they’re truly conscious of what’s taking place with the scammers or the third occasion companies.”Now I am having to retake my principle check and spend extra money so I am extraordinarily disenchanted.”Martha Machiek fears she won’t get a check slot earlier than her principle certifcate expires on the finish of the monthLearner driver Martha Machiek, a single dad or mum from Stockport, mentioned she is “very burdened” attempting to guide a driving check slot. She wants a licence to save lots of money and time taking her kids to and from faculty and soccer observe. Ms Machiek says her principle check certificates expires on the finish of the month, and if she can’t guide a sensible check in time, she should begin over, which she can’t afford. “The system will not be being truthful on individuals like us,” she mentioned. “I haven’t got cash to guide one other one.”The NAO urged DVSA and the DfT to evaluate whether or not there was sufficient help for learners reserving exams and to analyze the best way to increase the examiner workforce.Gareth Davies, the pinnacle of the NAO, mentioned “decisive motion” wanted to be taken to repair the delays and enhance service.”The present system for offering driving exams in England, Scotland and Wales will not be working satisfactorily, with lengthy ready occasions and exploitation of learner drivers by resellers of check slots.”The DfT mentioned it had inherited a system which was “irritating” and open to abuse, leaving learners ready weeks for a check.A spokesperson mentioned the federal government was “seeing enchancment” with the measures it had been taking. From spring, solely learner drivers will be capable to guide exams and limits will likely be positioned on the variety of occasions they will transfer or swap a check. The federal government mentioned it hopes this may cease third-party corporations “exploiting weak learners and make the entire course of extra clear”.”The DVSA has already carried out 74,847 further exams between June and November this yr in comparison with 2024, and these new measures will ship 1000’s extra further exams over the subsequent yr,” the spokesperson added.