Driving test waiting times: why learners in cities can wait 30 weeks or more

The DVSA publishes waiting time data monthly for each test centre across England, Scotland, and Wales. The figures shown on this page are approximate averages within broad area types - individual centre data changes constantly as cancellations become available and new slots are released. For up-to-date figures at your nearest centre, use the DVSA's own test centre search alongside the practical test booking service at gov.uk/book-practical-driving-test.

Practical driving tests were suspended in March 2020, and again during the second lockdown. By the time testing resumed at scale, an estimated 500,000+ learners were waiting for a slot that did not yet exist. The DVSA responded by adding weekend and bank holiday testing, recruiting additional examiners, and extending test centre hours - but demand continued to outpace supply.

At the peak of the backlog in 2021 and 2022, waits of 40 or more weeks were routine at busy London test centres, and 20 to 30 week waits had become the norm across most English cities. Through 2023 and into 2024, the situation gradually improved as more slots came online and some learners who had delayed testing finally completed their test. However, major cities still show typical waits of 20 to 30 weeks in 2024 - compared with 6 weeks nationally before the pandemic.

Longer waits do not just test patience - they add direct cost. The DVSA's own research suggests the average successful candidate takes around 45 hours of professional instruction and 22 hours of private practice. At typical lesson prices of PS30 to PS35 per hour, an extra six months of waiting - during which skills need to be maintained - can easily add PS600 to PS900 in additional lessons to keep a learner's standard sharp.

Private practice between lessons becomes especially important during long waits, and it is the most cost-effective way to build hours without paying instructor rates. Learner driver insurance on a parent's car allows a provisional licence holder to practise in a family member's vehicle with comprehensive cover that does not affect the car owner's no-claims bonus - making the wait period more productive and less expensive.

A long wait between booking and test day is most useful if treated as preparation time rather than dead time. The priority is keeping driving skills fresh - an examiner can tell if a candidate has not driven recently, and skills do decline over weeks without practice.

Other practical steps worth considering during a long wait:

• Keep your theory test certificate valid. Theory test passes are valid for two years. If your test was booked more than 18 months ago, check the expiry date and rebook if needed before your practical date.
• Research first car insurance before you pass. New driver insurance costs vary significantly by vehicle, area, and age. Getting quotes for the car you plan to drive avoids any surprise after passing.
• Check what cover you need on test day. If you plan to drive to the test centre in a parent's or family member's car, you need appropriate cover for that journey. Car insurance after passing your driving test covers your options for the period immediately after passing.