The report reveals that only modest progress has been made despite 19 recruitment campaigns since 2021. The average wait for a test currently stands at 22 weeks, with some centres fully booked for the next six months. The DVSA continues to face challenges in both staffing and demand forecasting, with wider concerns about test access and affordability.
Examiner Shortages and Uncompetitive Pay Hinder Backlog Recovery
At the heart of the delays lies a persistent shortfall in driving test examiners. The DVSA had initially aimed to increase its workforce by 400 net examiners to meet post-pandemic demand. Yet according to the NAO, just 83 net new examiners have been added since February 2021. The slow recruitment pace is attributed in part to “perceived uncompetitive pay” and growing concerns around examiner safety, leading to a high attrition rate.
“Long waiting times and exploitation of learner drivers by resellers of test slots” are making the current system “not fit for purpose,” according to Gareth Davies, head of the NAO. In the 2020/21 financial year alone, an estimated 1.1 million tests were cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. Approximately 360,000 of those missed tests have still not been rescheduled, exacerbating the existing backlog.
Meanwhile, the DVSA is operating at a financial loss, charging £62 per test, a price unchanged since 2009. The NAO found that the agency is currently losing £24 per test, equating to a £44 million annual deficit.
Bots, Resellers and Inflated Fees Distort Test Access
Another major obstacle identified in the report is the widespread use of automated bots and third-party resellers, which are preventing learner drivers from booking tests through official channels. These bots, often run by commercial operators, rapidly snap up appointment slots the moment they are released, which are then resold for inflated prices, sometimes up to £500, eight times the standard test fee.
The DVSA estimates that approximately 680,000 learners who passed the theory test may still be unable to access a practical exam. According to the NAO, 70% of test centres are booked to full capacity for the maximum 24 weeks ahead.
In response, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced plans to ban bots and restrict bookings to learners only, starting from Spring 2026. Military driving examiners are also being drafted in to temporarily boost capacity. A DfT spokesperson told media: “We inherited a frustrating system with learner drivers left in limbo… that’s why we’re taking decisive action.”
Between June and November 2025, the DVSA reported delivering 74,847 more tests than during the same period in 2024. Yet the NAO warns that demand continues to outstrip capacity, and called on both the DVSA and the DfT to reassess their strategy, especially regarding workforce expansion. Efforts to rebalance the system are underway, but the road to recovery remains long. Without further intervention, many learners may still find themselves waiting months, not weeks, for a chance to get behind the wheel.
