Spring 2025 update
As we head into spring 2025 in driver training we’re still faced with lengthy driving test waiting times, a pent up demand for driving lessons and learner drivers who are frustrated with how long it takes to learn to drive in 2025.
Tackling lengthy test waiting times
It’s been widely reported in the last 12-18 months that it’s difficult to get a driving test. The DVSA has failed to keep up the demand for driving tests since the backlog of the pandemic and here we are in 2025 with an average wait time across the country of around 20 weeks.
In December 2024 the DVSA released their ‘7 point plan’ to tackle the waiting times following a grilling from the Transport Select Committee on why the waiting times are so bad. You can watch the DVSA and Minister for Future Roads being questioned about the waiting times here.
The DVSA’s 7 point plan is;
1. Recruit & train 450 new driving examiners.
2. Review & improve the rules for booking driving tests.
3. Introduce tougher terms and conditions for the service driving instructors use to book and manage car driving tests for their pupils.
4. Consult on new proposals to increase the amount of time people have to wait to book another test in certain situations.
5. Increase the amount of notice you need to give to change or cancel a car driving test without losing the fee
6. Explore changing the current 24 week limit on how far ahead car driving tests can be booked
7. Encourage learner drivers to be better prepared for their driving test through the ‘Ready To Pass?’ campaign
Their 7 point plan isn't working
Since the DVS announced their 7 point plan, there have been no changes in the driving test waiting times. In fact, the waiting times have increased.
on 23rd April 2025, the Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander announced that she is pushing the DVSA to make meaningful and immediate measures to drive down the driving test waiting times.
To open up more tests and break down barriers to opportunity, she announced;
– DVSA staff in other roles in the department who are qualified to carry out driving tests, will be asked to return to delivering driving tests.
– doubling the number of permanent trainers to skill up new driving examiners quickly.
– accelerated consultation to investigate he potential abuse of the driving test booking system and prevent bots from accessing tests.
– reintroduction of overtime pay incentives for everyone delivering driving tests.
These measure aim to create an extra 10,000 available tests a month. You can read more about the measures here
Let’s see if we actually see some meaningful changes to the availability of driving tests over the coming months.
Trialling changes to the driving test
Also in the same week, DVSA announced the trial of some changes to the driving test.
From 6th May 2025, some test centres around the UK will be trialling changes to the driving test aimed at updating the driving test to more realistic driving situations and to assess learner drivers on statistically more dangerous roads.
The changes will increase the amount of time candidates spend on higher speed roads such as dual carriageways and rural roads.
DVSA know that rural roads are some of the most dangerous high speed roads for novice drivers. The current killed or seriously injured statistics show 48% of casualties in young driver collisions occur on rural roads.
Details on the trial:
The trial will last for 3 months from 6th May 2025 for 20 driving test centres across Great Britain.
Up to 4 examiners will take part in the trial from each of the test centres and will use updated routes that include three changes to the test;
1. Reducing the amount of stops during the driving test from four to three
2. Changing the frequency of carrying out an emergency stop from one in three driving tests to one in seven.
3. Offer the flexibility to increase the time of the independent driving on the SAT NAV from 20 minutes currently, to the full duration of the test.
Throughout the trial, DVSA will continue to monitor the new routes and review the impact the changes are having on tests.