Learner drivers face a wait of up to five months to take driving tests, according to the Daily Mirror.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) must clear a backlog of 420,000 cancelled tests following a year of restrictions and lockdown measures.
Driving lessons will restart in England on 12 April 2021 at the earliest, although the government points out that this is subject to change. Driving tests are scheduled to restart on 22 April 2021.
Emergency driving tests are available for critical workers in England and Wales. To qualify, you must work for the NHS in health or social care, the emergency services or a local council.
DVSA hires new staff
To help clear the backlog of driving tests, the DVSA has hired 300 extra examiners to join the existing 1,675. A spokesperson for the DVSA told the Daily Mirror: “Candidates affected by the suspension are automatically being booked on to the next available test at their chosen centre.
“As soon as it is safe DVSA will increase the number of driving and theory tests available.”
Carly Brookfield of the Driving Instructor Association said: “What these numbers don’t tell you is how many driving tests have been cancelled time and time again. There’s a huge worry among pupils that if they fail a test, how long will it be before they get a retest?
“The DVSA will argue that people will try to cheat. But so many testing bodies are going online using technology that monitors individuals.”
A theory test costs £23 for cars, and the driving test costs £62 on weekdays or £75 on evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays.
Driving tests in England, Wales and Scotland
There are regional variations in England, Wales and Scotland.
- England: car driving tests will restart on 22 April 2021
- Scotland: driving tests will restart in areas as they move back into protection level three or lower
- Wales: car driving tests will restart on 22 April 2021
Visit the government website to check the latest information, what to do when you take your driving test and how to book online.
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