Learner drivers face 24-week wait as backlog continues for two more years

Learner drivers are facing significant delays in booking practical driving tests, with a backlog not expected to clear until November 2027. The National Audit Office (NAO) reports a backlog of 1.1 million tests due to the Covid-19 pandemic, causing average waiting times of up to 24 weeks. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is struggling with examiner shortages, and third-party sellers are exploiting the situation by charging inflated prices. The NAO has urged for immediate action to address the backlog and improve the system to support learners efficiently.