According to research conducted by the PA news agency into Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) figures, there are a record 603,352 learners drumming their fingers in frustration waiting to take their test.
That’s compared to 521,190 last year.
Drop in testing
This situation is being exacerbated by the number of tests actually being conducted – 610,000 were taken between this January and April, which is down on the 718,000 tests carried out during the same time last year.
That represents a 15% drop in tests being conducted.
Good news?
Yes, there is some – namely, learners are getting better at passing the test! In April 2024, the average pass rate was 48.3% but fast forward to April this year and that figure has climbed to 50.2%.
This increase is being attributed in part to the DVSA’s ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign, which asks learners to check with their instructors if they really are up for taking their test.
Moving forward and we’ve already detailed government plans to increase the number of tests per month by 10,000 by summer 2025. And judging from the latest figures, those tests can’t come soon enough…
“The current backlog facing learner drivers is completely unacceptable, but we are taking decisive action to address the situation inherited from the previous government. Thanks to the intervention of the Secretary of State, an additional 10,000 driving tests will be made available monthly."
• Department for Transport spokesperson to the PA new agency.
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