Brits are facing an average wait of four months for a driving
test, according to new analysis by the TaxPayer's Alliance
campaign group. The Prime Minister, Sir , said during the general election
campaign that "we've got to sort out the situation in
relation to tests."
Data from 324 driving test centres from across
Great Britain (not including Northern Ireland) has found that
112 driving test centres (DTC) have an
average waiting time of 24 weeks, or almost six
months. London is the worst region in the UK for
waiting times, with average wait times of 23
weeks across the 32 driving centres. The West
Midlands and the South West both have average waiting
times of 20 weeks. The lowest average
waiting times can be found in Wales,
where aspiring drivers face an average wait of 12 weeks. Only 57
driving test centres have an average wait time of under ten
weeks.
It's also been revealed that there is a significant gulf between
driving instructors and the population in a given postcode in
England. In the LA postcode in Lancaster there
are 2,105 people for every approved driving
instructor (ADI) compared to 859 people per
driving instructor in the IG postcode in Essex and
greater London. The total number of ADIs is at its highest since
2015, however ADIs are not allowed to act as examiners of driving
tests and can instead only conduct driving lessons.
Campaigners are calling the system for learning to drive a
“postcode lottery” which leads to difficulties finding driving
lessons and leaves those ready to take their tests waiting
months.
The TaxPayers' Alliance joins other groups in calling for the
government to fix the DVSA's broken system and end the
backlog.
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Key findings:
- The average waiting time for a driving test in the UK sits at
over 17 weeks, or almost four months.
- The area with the worst average waiting time is London where
residents have to wait on average 23 weeks for a test.
- The area with the best average waiting time is Wales, where
residents have to wait on average 12 weeks for a test.
- 112 driving test centres (DTCs) have a wait time of 24 weeks,
out of a total of 324 DTCs.
- Only 57 DTCs have a wait time of under 10 weeks.
- The region with the most DTCs is Scotland, with 79; the
region with the fewest is the North East, with 12
- The gulf between driving instructors and populations in a
given postcode are large with areas of similar population having
markedly different amounts of approved driving instructors.
Driving instructors are not allowed to examine tests and can only
conduct lessons.
John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers'
Alliance, said:
"Taxpayers are being driven up the wall by the time it takes
to get a driving test.
“Aspiring drivers up and down the country are facing waits of
months, potentially delaying or denying opportunities for
employment and causing massive inconveniences to those eager to
get behind a wheel.
“The
government needs to end the postcode lottery of driving and end
the backlog”.
Ellen Pasternack, of the campaign ‘End the Backlog',
said:
"The End The Backlog campaign has spoken to many individuals
who say that not being able to book a driving test has held them
back, and restricted their ability to get jobs.
“This ridiculous situation has gone on long enough - it is
long past time the government introduced surge capacity to clear
the backlog."
TPA spokespeople are available for live and pre-recorded
broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Regional breakdown
In the East Midlands
- Across 24 driving test centres the wait time
is an average of 23 weeks
In the East of England
- Across 20 driving test centres the wait time
is an average of 16 weeks
In London
- Across 31 driving test centres the wait time
is an average of 23 weeks
In the North East
- Across 12 driving test centres the wait time
is an average of 15 weeks
In the North West
- Across 16 driving test centres the wait time
is an average of 32 weeks
In Scotland
- Across 79 driving test centres the wait time
is an average of 15 weeks
In the South East
- Across 30 driving test centres the wait time is an average of
18 weeks
In the South West
- Across 20 driving test centres the wait time
is an average of 16 weeks
In Wales
- Across 21 driving test centres the wait time
is an average of 12 weeks
In the West Midlands
- Across 24 driving test centres the wait time
is an average of 20 weeks
In Yorkshire and the Humber
- Across 27 driving test centres the wait time
is an average of 17 weeks
