Learner drivers in Norfolk told not to book test until confident they'll pass first time
The DVSA currently has a backlog of 420,000 tests.
Last updated 3rd Apr 2021
There are currently 420,000 car tests in the backlog and the national average waiting time for a driving test is 17 weeks.
In a bid to clear the backlog the DVSA (Driving Vehicle Standards Agency) are asking people to only take their test when they are confident they can pass. This will not only help them avoid a lengthy wait for a retest but also help by not adding to the backlog.
Shelley Forsdyke, started Shelley's Driving School in Norfolk, during lockdown.
She told us what she thinks of the new advice from the DVSA: "If the waiting list is say 17 weeks, somebody could be near to test from starting at week one, by week 17.
"And potentially if they haven't done their theory they've got to get that in which there's queues for as well.
"It's really hard to know what stage they would be at, at the time they would get a test."
She told us she has one student who will have been ready for a test for nearly a year by the time they finally get a test: "It's a lot of money as well for them to keep up the standard that they're at, to keep up the lessons.
"It's kind of a tricky situation for me as well, because I don't want to rob them of their money.
"If they're ready, I'm going to tell them that."
Shelley told us that young people are missing out due to the waiting times: "I know that job-wise for her to pay for her lessons she's not able to work because it's retail.
"But knowing that she's not getting a test until August, that's another summer without being able to get her freedom, which is not ideal."
Shelley added students shouldn't let the waiting times put you off: "Interest is really high and if anyone is thinking of starting to learn to drive soon, and they think ah well there's such a wait at the moment there's no point, all I can recommend is get yourself on a waiting list.
"It's not going to get better anytime soon, the backlog's only going to get bigger."
Steps are being taken to try and tackle the backlog once lockdown end: "They've started a recruitment drive to get more instructors and examiners on board to try and get through the backlog, which I think will really help.
"They had limited the amount of tests they could do per day, so obviously with more examiners that's going to open it up."
When can lessons and tests start again?
The DVSA says at the moment that car driving lessons in England are expected to restart no earlier than the 12th April.
While car driving tests will restart no earlier than the 22nd April in England.