The number of centres with 24-week waits has fallen from 77% in November to 53% now, the investigation found. Only six centres have an average wait of six weeks or less. 4 weeks by April 6, 2025, according to AA Driving School data obtained via FOI.
In February 2020, the average wait was five weeks, the National Audit Office said. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has taken steps to increase test supply. A spokesperson said the agency has conducted over 123,000 extra tests since June 2025 and is using military driving examiners to support test supply.
However, recruitment struggles persist. Only 327 out of 11,132 applicants for driving test examiner posts were successful (3%), according to DVSA figures. There have been 19 separate recruitment drives since 2021.
The National Audit Office said 400 new examiners were needed to bring waiting times down to seven weeks by the end of 2027. But only around 140 extra examiners have been added, a third of the target. Each year 12% of examiners (around 186) resign, often citing low salary (£28,000) and stress, DVSA figures show.
New rules aim to curb the black market for test slots. From Tuesday (likely June 10, 2025), only learners themselves can book and manage their driving tests, not instructors, the government announced. It is now illegal to book a test for anyone other than oneself.
A BBC investigation in December exposed touts offering instructors up to £250 a month for booking website login details. A National Audit Office report found learners were paying up to £500 to book a black market slot. From June 12, it will only be possible to move a slot to one of the three test centres nearest the initial booking.
The number of changes allowed for a single booking was cut from six to two from March 31. Political and oversight bodies have criticised the slow progress. Transport Committee chair Ruth Cadbury said the situation showed only slow and limited progress in tackling the backlog.