Committee publication · Correspondence · 20 May 2026 · HC 218
Correspondence from the Minister for Roads, Department for Transport relating to the Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency, dated 6 May 2026
From: Transport Committee
Inquiry: Driving tests availability
Summary
The Minister for Roads responds to the Transport Committee's March inquiry on DVSA waiting times. The government forecasts reducing average car test waiting times to seven weeks by end-2027, contingent on recruiting and retaining driving examiners. Current national average waiting time is 22.1 weeks; DVSA exceeded recruitment targets (1,604 FTE examiners by March 2026) and delivered a record 1.99 million tests in 2025/26, with measures including accelerated training, IT modernisation, and limits on third-party test bookings.
Key findings
- DVSA forecasts national average waiting time of seven weeks by end 2027, dependent on sustained recruitment and retention of driving examiners.
- Current national average waiting time is 22.1 weeks (median 9 weeks); DVSA achieved 1,604 full-time equivalent driving examiners by 31 March 2026—188 more than previous year and 30 above model forecast.
- Record 1,998,608 car practical tests delivered in 2025/26 (up 159,043 from prior year); overtime scheme generated 108,695 additional tests.
- From 12 May 2026, only learner drivers may book and manage tests (preventing third-party abuse); new Driver Services Platform with fraud detection launching in 2026.
- Government introduced £5,000 exceptional payment to stabilise driving examiner attrition; Ministry of Defence examiners have carried out 1,744 tests since support began (638 in March 2026).
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Simon Lightwood MP, Ruth Cadbury MP, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), Ministry of Defence, National Associations Strategic Partnership, Public and Commercial Services (PCS), Government Recruitment Service
Notable line
“… a national average waiting time of seven weeks for car practical driving tests could be achieved by the end of”
Key Quotes
“Tackling waiting times remains a priority for the government and we are committed to continuing to explore all viable options.”
“Increasing the overall number of fulltime equivalent DEs is essential to increasing the level of test delivery capacity needed to reduce waiting times in line with DVSA's forecasts.”
“On 31 March 2026, DVSA had 1,604 full-time equivalent DEs, the highest number since”
“During the 2025/26 financial year, DVSA carried out a record breaking 1,998,608 car practical driving tests.”
“This change is necessary to tackle persistent booking abuse. Despite significant anti-abuse measures already in place – including advanced bot protection technology, tighter terms and conditions for business bookings, warnings and suspensions of offending accounts, and restrictions on excessive slot swapping – it became clear DVSA needed to take further action.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗