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Learner drivers still waiting 20 weeks to book tests

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency had been given a target to reduce average wait times to seven weeks.

Learner drivers are still facing a 20-week wait to book tests

Learner drivers must wait an average of 20 weeks before they can book a practical test, new figures show, despite efforts to cut delays.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) data for August marks only a slight improvement on the 20.2-week wait recorded in July.

The average time between booking and taking a test remains unchanged at 11.1 weeks.

The DVSA originally aimed to cut the average waiting time to seven weeks by the end of last year. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander later moved that target to summer 2026, but said even that deadline would not be achievable.

learner driversdriving testsdvsatest waiting timestransport delaysuk roadsbooking backlogheidi alexander

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