Driving test waiting times hit new high

31 March 2025

Average waiting times for a driving test have reached a new high, with learners typically facing waits of 20 weeks.

The number of driving test centres showing the maximum wait of 24 weeks has doubled in the last year from 94 in February 2024 to 183 in February 2025; more than half of test centres (57%).

Only 14 test centres had waits at or below the DVSA’s end-of-year-target of 7 weeks. This has fallen since February 2024 when 83 test centres had achieved a waiting time of less than 7 weeks.

The data, from a Freedom of Information* request to the DVSA by the AA Driving School, shows the average waiting time to book a driving test has steadily risen in the last year from 14.8 weeks in February 2024 to 20 weeks in February 2025.

“Bringing down driving test waiting times is vital to ensure a lack of driving licence does not become an ongoing barrier for young people trying to access education and employment.”

Driving licence holding among young people has fallen, with the most recent data showing 29% of 17-to-20-year-olds hold a licence, compared to 35% pre-pandemic**. Amid this, the number of young people not in employment or education has risen by 26,000 on the year from October to December 2023***.

Emma Bush, Managing Director of AA Driving School, said: “We are pleased the DVSA has laid out its plans to reach an average waiting time of 7 weeks by December 2025 and wholeheartedly support their goal. It is crucial efforts to meet this target are effective and result in this significant reduction.

“There are rising numbers of young people who are registered as economically inactive. Bringing down driving test waiting times is vital to ensure a lack of driving licence does not become an ongoing barrier for young people trying to access education and employment.

“The most effective way to ensure waiting times are brought down is to increase the number of test slots available by increasing the overall number of driving test examiners.”

As part of its strategy for the next year, DVSA has committed to recruiting 450 new driving test examiners. With an expected loss of 130 examiners, this would lead to an overall net gain of 320 examiners and will enable the DVSA to deliver around 590,000 additional driving tests annually.

At the end of 2024, there were 1627 people employed as driving test examiners by the DVSA. This figure remained relatively constant throughout 2024****.

*FOI 2502-067863 shows waiting times across all part and full-time test centres which conduct category B (practical car) tests. Historic waiting time data available here: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

**National Travel Survey table NTS0201 National Travel Survey: 2023 - GOV.UK

*** Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), UK - Office for National Statistics