Driving test backlog forces learners to pay up to 500 to resellers

"The target for reducing average driving test waiting times across Britain to seven weeks is not expected to be met for another two years, according to a report by the public spending watchdog. The prolonged delay has led to nearly one in three learners resorting to paying third parties up to 500 to secure a test slot, the National Audit Office (NAO) revealed."

"The inquiry found that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has repeatedly failed to appoint a sufficient number of new examiners, despite multiple recruitment drives, thereby hindering its ability to increase available test slots. The backlog was significantly worsened by Covid restrictions, which prevented 1.1 million tests from being conducted in the 2020/21 financial year. An estimated 360,000 of these tests remain unbooked."

The Independent provides on-the-ground reporting across topics such as reproductive rights, climate change and Big Tech, and funds free access to journalism through reader donations rather than paywalls. The National Audit Office reports that the target to reduce average driving test waiting times in Britain to seven weeks will not be met for another two years. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has repeatedly failed to recruit enough new examiners, limiting available test slots. Covid restrictions cancelled 1.1 million tests in 2020/21, with about 360,000 remaining unbooked. Nearly one in three learners paid up to £500 to third parties, and bots have distorted demand estimates.

Read at www.independent.co.uk