**CORRECTION: In the original press release there were errors in the regional breakdown,
incorrect figures had been pulled out of the data set. These have now been changed.
Embargoed: 00:01, Saturday 14th September
- Average wait time of four months at driving test centres in Great Britain
- London is the worst affected region with an average wait time of 23 weeks
- Campaigners are calling on the new government to bring an end to the "postcode lottery" of learning to drive
Brits are facing an average wait of four months for a driving test, according to new analysis by the TaxPayer’s Alliance campaign group.
Data from 324 driving test centres from across Great Britain (not including Northern Ireland) has found that 112 driving test centres (DTC) have an average waiting time of 24 weeks, or almost six months. London is the worst region in the UK for waiting times, with average wait times of 23 weeks across the 32 driving centres. The West Midlands and the South West both have average waiting times of 20 weeks. The lowest average waiting times can be found in Wales, where aspiring drivers face an average wait of 12 weeks. Only 57 driving test centres have an average wait time of under ten weeks.
It’s also been revealed that there is a significant gulf between driving instructors and the population in a given postcode in England. In the LA postcode in Lancaster there are 2,105 people for every approved driving instructor (ADI) compared to 859 people per driving instructor in the IG postcode in Essex and greater London. The total number of ADIs is at its highest since 2015, however ADIs are not allowed to act as examiners of driving tests and can instead only conduct driving lessons.
Campaigners are calling the system for learning to drive a “postcode lottery” which leads to difficulties finding driving lessons and leaves those ready to take their tests waiting months.
The TaxPayers’ Alliance joins other groups in calling for the government to fix the DVSA’s broken system and end the backlog.
FIND THE FULL DATASET HERE
Key findings:
- The average waiting time for a driving test in the UK sits at over 17 weeks, or almost four months.
- The area with the worst average waiting time is London where residents have to wait on average 23 weeks for a test.
- The area with the best average waiting time is Wales, where residents have to wait on average 12 weeks for a test.
- 112 driving test centres (DTCs) have a wait time of 24 weeks, out of a total of 324 DTCs.
- Only 57 DTCs have a wait time of under 10 weeks
- The region with the most DTCs is Scotland, with 79; the region with the fewest is the North East, with 12
- The gulf between driving instructors and populations in a given postcode are large with areas of similar population having markedly different amounts of approved driving instructors. Driving instructors are not allowed to examine tests and can only conduct lessons.
FIND THE FULL DATASET HERE
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:
"Taxpayers are being driven up the wall by the time it takes to get a driving test.
“Aspiring drivers up and down the country are facing waits of months, potentially delaying or denying opportunities for employment and causing massive inconveniences to those eager to get behind a wheel.
“The government needs to end the postcode lottery of driving and end the backlog”.
Ellen Pasternack, of the campaign ‘End the Backlog’, said:
"The End The Backlog campaign has spoken to many individuals who say that not being able to book a driving test has held them back, and restricted their ability to get jobs.
“This ridiculous situation has gone on long enough - it is long past time the government introduced surge capacity to clear the backlog."
TPA spokespeople are available for live and pre-recorded broadcast interviews via 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Regional breakdown
In the East Midlands
- Across 24 driving test centres the wait time is an average of 18 weeks
In the East of England
- Across 20 driving test centres the wait time is an average of 16 weeks
In London
- Across 32 driving test centres the wait time is an average of 23 weeks
In the North East
- Across 12 driving test centres the wait time is an average of 15 weeks
In the North West
- Across 32 driving test centres the wait time is an average of 16 weeks
In Scotland
- Across 79 driving test centres the wait time is an average of 15 weeks
In the South East
- Across 30 driving test centres the wait time is an average of 18 weeks
In the South West
- Across 23 driving test centres the wait time is an average of 20 weeks
In Wales
- Across 21 driving test centres the wait time is an average of 12 weeks
In the West Midlands
- Across 24 driving test centres the wait time is an average of 20 weeks
In Yorkshire and the Humber
- Across 27 driving test centres the wait time is an average of 17 weeks
Media contact:
William Yarwood
Media Campaign Manager, TaxPayers' Alliance
[email protected]
24-hour media hotline: 07795 084 113 (no texts)
Notes to editors:
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Founded in 2004 by Matthew Elliott and Andrew Allum, the TaxPayers' Alliance (TPA) campaigns to reform taxes and public services, cut waste and speak up for British taxpayers. Find out more at www.taxpayersalliance.com.
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TaxPayers' Alliance's advisory council.
- Data on the number of approved driving instructors is based on DVSA figures and census data. Data on the waiting time by test centre was provided under freedom of information laws by the DVSA. Full information can be found in the dataset.