Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent estimate he has made of the number of learners waiting for motorcycle practical tests (a) nationally and (b) in Hull West and Hessle constituency; and whether he has made an assessment of the effectiveness of steps taken to reduce the driving test backlog over the last 12 months.

As of 12 April 2024, the number of learners waiting for motorcycle practical tests (a) nationally was 25,637 and (b) in Hull West and Hessle it was 141.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s main priority is to reduce practical driving test waiting times, whilst upholding road safety standards.

To increase the number of available test slots, it is conducting tests outside of regular hours, including at weekends and on public holidays, and buying back annual leave from driving examiners.