The DVSA is taking steps to reduce long waiting times for driving tests in London, including hiring new examiners and revising scheduling rules
London: The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is making some big changes for 2025 to tackle those annoying long waits for driving tests. They’re planning to hire 450 new examiners to help speed things up.
To really get a grip on the situation, the DVSA has rolled out a seven-point plan. This includes cracking down on those sketchy third-party websites that book tests and then resell them at crazy prices.
Earlier this year, the Department for Transport shared that a whopping 1.9 million tests were taken in the year leading up to March, which is a record high. But with that many people wanting to take their test, it’s no wonder the wait times are so long.
To help reduce last-minute cancellations, they’re changing some rules. Now, if you need to change or cancel your test, you have a 10-day window to do it without losing money, instead of just three days.
They’re also tweaking how driving instructors book exams to free up more slots. Plus, they’re looking into ways to stop third parties from snatching up test spots from candidates.
There’s even going to be a consultation about making the waiting period longer for those who mess up multiple times or don’t show up for their test.
Right now, the waiting times are pretty rough. England is sitting at about 21 weeks, Scotland is over 15 weeks, and Wales is around 13 weeks. But London is the worst, with an average wait of 23 weeks!
So, why is it taking so long? Well, the pandemic really threw a wrench in things, and the DVSA has been struggling to catch up. Plus, there were strikes from late 2022 to mid-2023 that led to a ton of canceled tests.
On top of that, there just aren’t enough test centers and examiners to keep up with the growing population. The DVSA is having a tough time finding more examiners to hire.
Interestingly, the pass rate for driving tests has dropped from 49.8% in 2020 to 48.2% in 2024. Some learners are taking their tests too early, thinking they’re ready, while others are traveling to centers with shorter waits but don’t know the area well.
As for the best time to take your driving test, most instructors suggest aiming for between 9 am and 11 am. That way, you can avoid the morning rush and the pre-lunch traffic. But honestly, the best time is when you feel ready and confident, so make sure you’re well-rested!