The DfT has announced a series of new measures to provide thousands of additional driving tests every month as part of ongoing efforts to reduce waiting times for learners.
To open up more tests, those in other DVSA roles who are qualified to examine will be asked to return to the frontline to provide practical driving tests.
The DfT also plans to:
- Double the number of permanent trainers to skill up new driving examiners quickly
- Accelerate a consultation to investigate the potential abuse of the driving test booking system and prevent bots from accessing tests
- Reintroduce overtime pay incentives for everyone delivering driving tests
Taken together, the DfT aims for these measures to reduce driving test waiting times to seven weeks by the summer of 2026.
Heidi Alexander, transport secretary, said: “We inherited an enormous backlog of learners ready to ditch their L-Plates but being forced to endure record waiting time for their tests.
“I am instructing DVSA to take further action immediately to reduce waiting times which will see thousands of additional tests made available every month. We’re acting fast to get Britain’s drivers moving.”
Under the plans, examiner training capacity will be doubled to ensure newly recruited driving examiners can qualify as quickly as possible.
An accelerated consultation will also launch in May to improve the booking system and block bots from accessing tests. This comes on top of the work DVSA is already undertaking with leading IT specialists to enhance resilience against resellers.
Additionally, the DfT will temporarily ask eligible staff to deploy into examining roles, increasing test availability and providing coverage for examiner sickness or leave.
The DfT says progress has already been made in recruiting more than 100 new examiners, increasing the short notice cancellation period for candidates, and introducing tougher terms and conditions for driving instructors booking driving tests for their pupils.
Pauline Reeves, DVSA driver services director, said: “Since December 2024, we’ve made significant progress on implementing our plan to reduce waiting times. But we know that many learner drivers are not seeing the immediate effects of the measures.
“The further action which the secretary of state has announced today will help us to accelerate those measures, including expanding training capacity for newly recruited driving examiners so more of them can start carrying out driving tests sooner.”
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