In my very first blog I would like to cover one of the hottest topics in news, UK driving test waiting times and test availability. Since the COVID lockdowns were lifted driving test waiting times have been at an all time high and currently most test centres in the UK are booking 24 weeks ahead. With cancellations becoming more and more challenging to acquire, it is becoming extremely frustrating for both learners and driving instructors. Since 2022 the DVSA have been actively recruiting new examiners originally looking for around 170 new examiners. The first measures implemented by the DVSA were in October 2023 when all qualified examiners who were not testing were redeployed. The impact was a positive one and test waiting times fell by around 6 weeks. However once the deployed staff returned to their normal roles the waiting times increased again. In April 2025 the DVSA increased the cancellation period from 3 working days to 10 working days, and set a maximum amount of times a test could be changed, or swapped. In the months following this change learners not turning up for their booked tests increased by 1% each month through to September. This despite the DVSA quoting on the 17^th March “Fewer driving test slots will be wasted as the government announces an extension to the window for test cancellations to prevent last minute changes.” In December 2025 the Secretary of State for Transport announced further measures. Heidi Alexamder made the announcement firstly stating that test fees would remain the same at £62 as she did not feel learners should punished for the backlog. The new measures announced were that in the spring of 2026 only learners will be able to book tests, a learner can make a maximum of 2 changes to their test, and there will be a limit on the distance a test booking can be changed if being moved to a different test centre. What will count as changes? These things each count as a change:

• changing the date or time
• changing the test centre
• swapping your appointment with another learner driver who already has a test booked

Further to these announcements it was communicated that 36 Ministry of Defence examiners would be made available for testing creating 6500 extra test slots. The DVSA has been constantly recruiting examiners since 2022, however whilst many new examiners have been recruited, many existing examiners have left the service for many different reasons. This meaning that the net gain of nearly 4 years of recruitment is less than 50 extra examiners. Ultimately these measures are to reduce the backlog, and to stop learners being exploited by organisations, and individuals selling driving tests at inflated prices. Whilst we await for the new measures to be introduced as driving instructors all we can do is our best to ensure that when the learners test comes around they have the best chance of passing. I personally don’t believe that the measures will have a significant impact on the waiting times, nor do I think it will deter those willing to sell tests at a premium as people always find a way to exploit systems if there is money to be made. However the proof will be in the results of where we sit in a years’ time from now and whether the waiting time for driving tests has reduced to an acceptable level.

If you’re preparing for your driving test in Northamptonshire e.g. Burton Latimer, Kettering, Finedon or Wellingborough, we offer professional driving lessons designed to help learners pass first time. Our aim is to give you the knowledge and skills necessary to be a safe and confident driver. Contact Us here at Latimer Driver Training for more information about driving lessons.