Overview
- The National Audit Office said the DVSA now expects to hit its seven‑week average waiting‑time target in November 2027, two years later than planned.
- Average waits are around 22 weeks, with roughly 70% of test centres booked to the 24‑week maximum, according to the audit.
- The DVSA has added a net 83 examiners since 2021 against a target of 400, with high exits linked to pay and safety concerns noted in the report.
- Automated tools and resellers are capturing slots and charging up to £500, with a DVSA survey indicating 31% of candidates used third parties and the legacy booking system facing surging bot traffic.
- Ministers have announced near‑term steps including deploying military examiners, restricting bookings to candidates with limits on moves from spring 2026, reporting nearly 75,000 extra tests June–November versus 2024, and installing a new DVSA chief in January.