How long are learner drivers in Scotland waiting for tests as target to cut backlog missed

Learner drivers in Scotland are waiting on average five months to sit a practical test as the UK Government admitted to missing its target to cut the backlog.

One driving instructor told STV News that the situation is “appalling”.

“As soon as a driver signs up with us, we are telling them to book their test because they’re being booked up so far in advance,” he said.

“This creates pressure in every lesson because they know they’ve got to be ready by the test date rather than us telling them they are ready to take their test.

“If they fail they then need to wait another 20 plus weeks to re-book, during the wait they’re having more refresher lessons – and that is expensive, we know it is.”

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said the UK Government “inherited an enormous backlog” but is “acting fast” to tackle the issue, with at least 10,000 extra tests to be available each month.

Alexander told the Commons’ Transport Select Committee that her department is aiming to reduce the average waiting time for driving tests in Britain to seven weeks by summer 2026.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has a target of reaching that position by the end of this year.

It has attributed the backlog to “an increase in demand and a change in customers’ booking behaviour”.

Data from the DVSA showed learners in Scotland are waiting on average 20 and a half weeks, more than four months

Five new driving examiners have been recruited in Scotland and have begun conducting tests, with a further five in training since DVSA announced its seven-point plan in December 2024.

Average waiting times, as of the end of March 2025 are:

Great Britain – 21.7 weeks
England – 22.4 weeks
Scotland – 20.5 weeks
Wales – 15.6 weeks

The number of test centres with a 24-week waiting time – the maximum possible – nearly doubled over the period, from 94 to 183.

Giving evidence to the committee, Alexander said: “The waiting times that people are experiencing are totally unacceptable.”

She announced that the DVSA has been instructed to make “additional overtime incentive payments to everyone delivering extra driving tests”.

What measures are being taken to reduce waiting times?

A number of measures have been announced to attempt to clear the backlog.

DVSA staff qualified to conduct tests are being asked to voluntarily return to the front line, while the number of permanent trainers for new examiners will be doubled.

Alexander also said the Government will launch a consultation next month on changes to the driving test booking system, in an attempt to stop bots mass-booking new slots and reselling them on the black market for inflated prices.

The PA news agency and motoring research charity the RAC Foundation found that on March 31 there were 583,000 tests booked for future dates, which is the highest on record.

Questioned about when average waiting times will be reduced to seven weeks, the transport minister replied: “We think that this package of measures I’m announcing today could result in us meeting that target again in the summer of next year.”

In a separate statement released by the Department for Transport, she said: “We inherited an enormous backlog of learners ready to ditch their L plates but being forced to endure record waiting time for their tests.

“We simply cannot deliver on our Plan for Change if thousands remain held back, with their aspirations on pause.”

The DVSA also introduced measures in response to misuse of the booking service, handing out 375 warnings
798 suspensions, and closed 903 business accounts since 2023.

Changes have also been made to the short notice cancellation period and the introduction of tougher terms and conditions for driving instructors who can book tests for their pupils.

Pauline Reeves, director of driver services at the DVSA, said: “Since December 2024, we’ve made significant progress on implementing our plan to reduce waiting times.

“But we know that many learner drivers are not seeing the immediate effects of the measures.

“The further action which the secretary of state has announced today will help us to accelerate those measures, including expanding training capacity for newly recruited driving examiners so more of them can start carrying out driving tests sooner.”

Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, said: “The current system is failing learner drivers even before they sit their tests, and today’s news shows there won’t be a quick fix to the frustratingly long waiting times.

“For now, the best way candidates can help themselves is to be as prepared as possible for test day when it does eventually arrive so they have the greatest chance of passing.

“At the moment less than 50% of tests taken are passed.”

Scottish secretary Ian Murray said: “This means more Scots will be on the road quicker – getting to college, work, supporting their families and enjoying the freedom and mobility that a driving licence brings.

“This is fantastic news from the UK Government, delivering for Scotland.”