Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of size of the backlog by test class of (a) theory and (b) practical driving tests in (i) Scotland and (ii) Great Britain; and what estimate he has made of how long it will take to clear each backlog.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) offers a six month window for people to book theory tests, therefore appointments are booked at the times people choose. There is not a backlog of theory tests as there is capacity available for more people to book.

The DVSA recognises the high demand for learners wanting to take their practical driving test following the suspension of routine driver training and testing during the pandemic.

As of 24 January 2022, the number of candidates with a test booked were:

The DVSA is committed to the safe recovery of all its services as quickly as possible and has a number of measures in place to do this. These include offering a national recovery allowance and annual leave buy back to examiners, asking all those qualified to conduct tests, but who do not do so as part of their current day job, to return to conducting tests, and conducting out of hours testing (such as on public holidays and weekends).

The DVSA is also continuing with its campaign to recruit more driving examiners across Great Britain and further increase availability of driving test appointments.