Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what data his Department holds on the number of applicants waiting for a practical driving test as of 17 January 2023; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a waiting list for learner drivers wishing to fill any available test slots or cancellations.

Car practical driving test waiting times are currently at 15.1 weeks (December average). As at 16 January 2023, there are over 80,000 car practical driving test appointments available within the 24-week booking window.

Since April 2021, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has created an extra 695,000 car practical driving tests appointments to help reduce waiting times. Actions already being taken by the DVSA include 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, conducting out of hours testing, and asking recently retired driving examiners to return.

All available practical driving test appointments are shown on the live booking system and any additional tests are added as soon as they become available. The DVSA has a 24 week forward booking window and tests are not available to book beyond this. Candidates can check for new appointments at their local test centre on the book a driving test or the change your driving test services.