The UK govt wants to slash driving test waiting times to seven weeks

The UK government wants to slash waiting times for those looking to take their driving tests because, at present, it's... 22 weeks. Yeesh. The govt wants to get that figure down to just seven weeks by summer 2026.

How? By deploying more qualified folk into examining roles, incentivising with overtime pay, and training other folk to become skilled at the examining bit. There’s also going to be a fast-tracked consultation into tackling 'potential abuse' of the online booking system. The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, thinks the DVSA's got a bot problem.

But it's also got a human problem. In March, the government extended the required notice period for learners who could no longer use their slot from 24 hours to three days, so that others might get a chance to use that session. At the time, it cited some 60,000 wasted appointments during 2024 from people not turning up.

Alexander said: “We inherited an enormous backlog of learners ready to ditch their L-plates but being forced to endure record waiting times 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.”

Further steps could include setting more time between a failed test and a chance to rebook, and financially penalising the no-shows.