DVSA obtained by the AA Driving School has revealed that the backlog for driving tests in the UK quadrupled in just one year, following disruption in the Pandemic. Lockdowns, restrictions, and delays to practical driving tests returning caused the backlog to soar from 147,716 learners to 592,987 learners one year later (August 31, 2020 compared with August 31, 2021).

Driving tests and lessons stopped during the lockdowns last year and have continued to bring disruption in 2021. A backlog of 147,716 learners waiting for practical tests tripled in just one month to 377,156 (August 31 and September 30, 2020).

In June this year, the DVSA announced additional measures were being put in place, including making 15,000 to 20,000 more test slots available per month. Demand is still high and there needs to be a clear plan in place to address this.

The DVSA also stated that other actions were taken to improve the backlog such as holding tests out-of-hours, including on weekends and public holidays, offering overtime and annual leave buy back for examiners. It also held a campaign to recruit 300 extra test examiners, and asked people who were qualified to conduct driving tests to return to the job, including asking recently retired examiners to conduct tests. However, between June and August 2021, the backlog data shows that it increased by 75,076 despite these measures.

The DVSA said in November 2021: “Because almost half of candidates are failing their practical test, and demand is currently extremely high for tests, learners should only take their test when they are confident they can pass.” It added there were 538,832 candidates who had currently booked a practical test within its 24-week window, however this reflected test slots rather than individual pupils because in some instances businesses reserve tests and later cancel them. Department for Transport statistics show the average pass rate for practical car tests from 2015 to 2020 was 46.4%, and the latest data available for 2021 shows the pass rate is currently above average at 51.6%

By Steve Belasco
newsdesk@stourandavon.net