Committee publication · Correspondence · 15 April 2026 · HC 437
Letter to the Minister for Roads, Department for Transport relating to latest update on driving tests availability, dated 30 March 2026
From: Transport Committee
Inquiry: Driving tests availability
Summary
The Transport Committee writes to the Minister for Roads expressing persistent concern about slow progress on car practical driving test waiting times, despite assurances from the DVSA. With national average waits remaining at 21.2 weeks in January 2026 and the seven-week target now pushed to November 2027, the Committee requests detailed information on workforce recruitment, the impact of new booking rules, and responses to concerns from driving instructors and unions.
Key findings
- National average waiting times remained between 20.8–22.5 weeks throughout 2025, with only modest improvement to 21.2 weeks in January 2026.
- DVSA's target of seven-week waiting times has been revised and is not now expected until November 2027.
- The National Audit Office recommended increased supply of test slots through improved recruitment and retention strategies; Committee seeks evidence of action taken.
- Concerns raised by driving instructors regarding loss of ability to book tests on behalf of learners and by PCS Union regarding compulsory weekend working contracts for examiners require ministerial response.
- Committee requests future updates include historical data on waiting times and examiner recruitment (net change figures), Ministry of Defence examiner deployment metrics, and progress on anti-bot digital programmes.
Tone
CriticalTopics
Key actors
Ruth Cadbury MP, Simon Lightwood MP, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), National Audit Office, Department for Transport, National Associations Strategic Partnership, PCS Union, Ministry of Defence
Notable line
“… we remain deeply concerned about the slow and limited progress made in reducing waiting times to date.”
Key Quotes
“… we remain deeply concerned about the slow and limited progress made in reducing waiting times to date.”
“The National Audit Office reported in December that the DVSA does not now expect to reach its target waiting time of seven weeks until November”
“We are aware of concerns raised with you by the National Associations Strategic Partnership (representing driving instructors) on the matter of driving test instructors no longer being permitted to book driving tests on behalf of learners.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗