The transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, has made a significant pledge to address the growing backlog of driving test applicants in England. As the situation stands, numerous learner drivers are facing prolonged waiting times, with many unable to secure a practical driving test for over five months. Alexander’s commitment to tackle this issue aims to restore a sense of efficiency to the driving test system, ensuring that thousands of learners can achieve their licenses in a more timely manner.
In her recent address to the transport committee in Parliament, Alexander highlighted a number of actionable steps the government plans to implement. At the forefront is the commitment to increase the availability of driving tests—specifically, she has pledged to offer at least an additional 10,000 driving tests each month. This major initiative is expected to significantly decrease the waiting times that are currently perceived as “totally unacceptable,” particularly in regions where the backlog has resulted in delays of over six months.
In a bid to enhance the capacity for conducting driving tests, the government is looking to double its training capacity for driving examiners. This approach not only aims to increase the number of trained professionals available to conduct tests but also is designed to expedite the process overall. Alexander mentioned that she’ll be reaching out to current employees of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), encouraging qualified personnel who are not currently involved in testing roles to take on examination responsibilities temporarily. This strategy is a proactive measure to combat the pervasive backlog.
To motivate the DVSA workforce, Alexander announced that overtime pay incentives would be reinstated for those participating in administering driving tests. The intention behind this move is to encourage examiners to take up additional shifts, further contributing to the expected rise in test availability. By the summer of 2026, the transport secretary expressed a desire to reduce waiting times to a maximum of seven weeks, thus establishing a clearer pathway for learner drivers to secure their tests efficiently and without undue delays.
Reflecting on the previous year, Alexander noted that a record 1.95 million driving tests were booked but acknowledged the need for consultation on potential modifications to the test booking system. This includes plans to clamp down on the automated software, commonly referred to as test booking bots, which have been taking advantage of the system. These bots can rapidly book multiple appointments on the DVSA’s website, often resulting in the reselling of tests at inflated prices, thus exacerbating the backlog and frustration among genuine learners.
In reaction to Alexander’s announcements, Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, expressed approval of the government’s plan to meet the target waiting time of seven weeks by year’s end. She pointed out how learner drivers have faced increasingly long wait times since pandemic restrictions were lifted several years ago and noted that obtaining a driving license is often crucial for securing employment or enabling access to educational opportunities for many individuals, especially young people. Therefore, the proposed enhancements to the testing system are not just administrative but can significantly impact people’s lives by helping them obtain necessary credentials to progress in their careers and education.
Overall, the transport department’s pledge encapsulates a proactive approach towards ameliorating the lengthy wait times faced by learner drivers in England. Through a combination of increased test capacity, better training for examiners, incentivized work structures, and a crackdown on malicious booking practices, Alexander and her team are seeking to create a more streamlined and equitable process for all driving test applicants, which will have a notable impact on their futures.