The UK government has announced a recruitment drive for 450 new driving examiners to reduce long wait times for driving tests, which currently stretch up to six months. The initiative aims to cut wait times to just seven weeks by December 2025.

Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads, acknowledged the “huge” backlog, stating that no one should have to wait months to take their test when ready. The recruitment is part of a broader plan to address the system’s challenges, including a rise in the number of tests taken, which reached a record 1.9 million in the year to March.

Driving instructors have criticized the current system as a “nightmare,” expressing doubt that the changes will have a significant impact. Among the announced measures, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will extend the period for changing or canceling a test without losing money from three to 10 working days. Additionally, a consultation will consider increasing the waiting period for learners who fail after serious errors, and new rules may allow learners to book tests further in advance.

Greenwood emphasized the importance of driving tests, calling them “life-changing” opportunities, and vowed to protect learners from exploitation by third-party booking sites. She admitted that the backlog inherited from previous years was substantial but described the new measures as crucial to improving the system.