Learner drivers in the United Kingdom are experiencing significant delays in retaking driving tests, with wait times exceeding four months at many test centers, according to an analysis of official figures. Hotspots for these lengthy delays include major cities such as Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London.
In June, the median average waiting time between booking and taking a driving test was 17.3 weeks, or more than four months, at 60 test centers. This means that half of the candidates in these locations waited longer than this period, while the other half waited less.
The test center serving Forfar in Angus, Scotland, recorded the longest median average waiting time, reaching 29.7 weeks, nearly seven months. The analysis draws upon the latest monthly statistics published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for 313 test centers.
The DVSA began publishing these figures in June following a recommendation from a National Audit Office report that examined the backlog. Test slots can typically be booked up to 24 weeks in advance. Extended waiting times beyond this period often occur when learners book a test and subsequently reschedule it for a date outside the original booking window.
Historically, driving test waiting times have been measured by the average number of weeks until at least 10 percent of weekly appointments remain available. In June, this metric stood at 20.9 weeks, nearly five months, across Britain, a stark contrast to the 5.8 weeks recorded in February 2020, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The DVSA missed an initial government target to reduce this figure to seven weeks by the end of 2025. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has indicated that this goal may not be achieved until autumn 2027. To address the backlog, the DVSA has implemented several measures, including recruiting and training more examiners more rapidly, utilizing military examiners, and reforming the booking process to prevent misuse.
In May, driving instructors were prohibited from booking tests on behalf of their students. Learners can now only book and manage their tests directly. This change was prompted by concerns over the extensive backlogs and reports of unofficial brokers charging inflated prices for earlier test slots. The new regulations aim to deter individuals from profiting by using automated programs, known as bots, to quickly secure and resell available test appointments.
A BBC investigation in December revealed that some driving test touts offered instructors up to £250 per month for access to their booking website login details. Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, welcomed the increased transparency from the DVSA regarding booking realities at individual centers, stating that it highlights areas requiring management attention to reduce waiting times. He noted that a four-month wait remains significantly longer than the DVSA's ultimate target.
A DVSA spokesperson stated that the latest data for June 2026 shows a median waiting time of 10.7 weeks for Great Britain, with test slot availability at its highest point since November 2024 and pass rates remaining above 50%. The agency acknowledged the frustration faced by learners experiencing longer waits and affirmed its commitment to increasing the number of available tests, having conducted nearly 280,000 extra tests since June 2025.