Background
Booking a practical driving test for a car has become increasingly difficult. As a result of COVID restrictions in 2020, tests were suspended for several months, contributing to an increase in waiting times to an average of 16 weeks by 2022-23. However, waiting times have continued to increase. As of April 2025, the average waiting time for a driving test was 22 weeks across the country, with test centres operating under pressure.
In December 2024, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) set out its plan to reduce driving test waiting times. This includes the recruitment of 450 additional driving examiners, a review of the rules around booking a driving test, and a review of the 24-week limit on booking a test. From these actions the DVSA set a target to reduce the waiting times for tests to seven weeks by December 2025. However, in April 2025, that seven-week target was extended until summer 2026.
Scope
We will investigate the issues associated with delays and examine the causes. We will report on the DVSA’s plan and progress in tackling these issues. We will be considering:
- the scale and nature of the waiting times for booking practical car diving tests
- the root causes of the delays
- how the DVSA is responding to the delays
NAO team
Director: Lee Summerfield
Senior Audit Manager: Tom Tyson