Driving Test Booking Backlog Busting: New Measures to Clamp Down on Rogue Operators
A crackdown is underway to tackle the severe backlog of driving tests, with the Department for Transport (DfT) set to ban third-party booking agents from making test bookings. Only learner drivers themselves and their instructors will be allowed to make bookings from now on.
In a bid to curb the exploitation of frustrated learners by rogue operators, the government has introduced new restrictions on test centre changes. Learners can only make up to two changes to their booking before it must be cancelled and rebooked. This includes moves, swaps, or location changes.
To further reduce congestion, learners will also be limited to a restricted number of nearby test centres that are linked to the original booking. The aim is to prevent touts from reselling test slots at inflated prices and taking advantage of those struggling to secure a spot.
Driving experts have welcomed the measures, hailing them as "good steps" towards putting an end to those seeking to exploit vulnerable learners. With over 670,000 learners booked in for tests, the DfT has implemented various measures to address the backlog. In October, new driving test slots were made available, and figures show a 14% increase in tests carried out in September compared to the same period last year.
However, the government's target of reducing waiting times to seven weeks by summer 2026 still seems out of reach. With an average wait time of 21.8 weeks at the end of September, the DfT has pledged to recruit more driving examiners and offer retention payments to keep them in the role. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is also set to provide military driving examiners to help tackle the backlog, with up to 6,500 additional tests expected to be carried out annually.
While progress has been slow, the DfT remains committed to ensuring that every learner has an equal and fair opportunity to take a test. With these new measures in place, it's hoped that the backlog will start to dwindle, giving learners more confidence and reducing frustration.
A crackdown is underway to tackle the severe backlog of driving tests, with the Department for Transport (DfT) set to ban third-party booking agents from making test bookings. Only learner drivers themselves and their instructors will be allowed to make bookings from now on.
In a bid to curb the exploitation of frustrated learners by rogue operators, the government has introduced new restrictions on test centre changes. Learners can only make up to two changes to their booking before it must be cancelled and rebooked. This includes moves, swaps, or location changes.
To further reduce congestion, learners will also be limited to a restricted number of nearby test centres that are linked to the original booking. The aim is to prevent touts from reselling test slots at inflated prices and taking advantage of those struggling to secure a spot.
Driving experts have welcomed the measures, hailing them as "good steps" towards putting an end to those seeking to exploit vulnerable learners. With over 670,000 learners booked in for tests, the DfT has implemented various measures to address the backlog. In October, new driving test slots were made available, and figures show a 14% increase in tests carried out in September compared to the same period last year.
However, the government's target of reducing waiting times to seven weeks by summer 2026 still seems out of reach. With an average wait time of 21.8 weeks at the end of September, the DfT has pledged to recruit more driving examiners and offer retention payments to keep them in the role. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is also set to provide military driving examiners to help tackle the backlog, with up to 6,500 additional tests expected to be carried out annually.
While progress has been slow, the DfT remains committed to ensuring that every learner has an equal and fair opportunity to take a test. With these new measures in place, it's hoped that the backlog will start to dwindle, giving learners more confidence and reducing frustration.
. I've been waiting for like 3 months now and still haven't got a slot. It's not fair on people who really need to get their licenses ASAP, especially those in the NHS or other essential jobs. The idea of touts reselling test slots is totally disgusting 
. I just want someone at the DfT to listen to our stories and actually do something about it 
. Can we please just get an update on when we'll see a reduction in waiting times? 7 weeks by summer 2026 seems ages away 
.
... I mean, come on, 21.8 weeks is still a looong time! And what about those who can't even afford the costs of the test let alone the hassle of changing bookings? It's like they're just making it harder for people to get behind the wheel 
. We need more support for our learners, not just Band-Aid solutions that don't address the underlying issues... And what about those poor instructors who are getting taken advantage of by these rogue operators? They deserve better than to be squeezed out of their earnings 
. Let's hope these new measures actually make a difference, but I'm still skeptical 
. The fact that learners will have access to more test slots and faster appointment dates is a positive development, albeit one that needs to be accompanied by realistic targets and a steady pace.
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finally some good news for those stuck in this crazy driving test backlog! 
anyway, so these new measures make total sense - banning third-party booking agents is a no-brainer, they were just taking advantage of people. 
the limit on changes to bookings is also genius, those touts were charging like crazy for last-minute changes. 
and yay for more driving examiners being recruited! 
it's not going to solve the problem overnight, but at least there's a plan in place now... fingers crossed they can hit that 7-week wait time target by summer 2026 
. Limiting test centre changes is a genius move - it'll definitely prevent those scammers from making bank off desperate learners 
. And let's be real, the idea of military driving examiners coming in to help is 
! Maybe we can finally hit that 7-week wait time target by summer '26 
finally something being done about those scammers preying on ppl trying 2 book driving tests online its like they just make money off ppl who cant even get a spot lol anyway hope these new restrictions stick & help reduce the backlog, dont wanna be stuck waiting for 7+ weeks just to take a test 
