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Wed, 09 Sep 2026

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 Learner drivers still waiting 20 weeks to book tests

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency had been given a target to reduce average wait times to seven weeks.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander initially set a target of reducing the waiting time to seven weeks by the end of last year, but pushed this back to summer 2026 due to ongoing challenges. However, she later admitted that even this revised target may not be achievable. To try and alleviate the issue, the DVSA made several changes to its practical driving test booking system earlier this year. These include limiting the number of tests a learner can book to their local area, restricting the ability for third parties to book on behalf of a learner, and limiting the number of times a learner can swap a test date. However, many learner drivers continue to face significant challenges in securing a test slot. One 19-year-old from south east London reported getting up at 5:45am every day to try and book a test, only managing to secure a slot after several months. Her friends have also been struggling to book tests, with some giving up due to the difficulty. Despite the challenges, the DVSA reports that more than 2.13 million practical driving tests took place in the 12 months to August 2026 - the highest rolling 12-month figure on record. However, this has not led to a significant reduction in waiting times for learners.