Obtaining a driver's license in Britain takes five months due to a shortage of examiners.

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      Learning to drive is often an emotional rollercoaster, encompassing feelings that range from excitement to anxiety and relief. Stress is inherently part of the experience. In the U.K., this pre-existing tension is intensified by the shortage of driving examiners, leading to wait times of over six months at some test centers.

      Personally, when I obtained my driving permit, the most difficult part was the learning phase itself. I was primarily focused on getting my uncle to stop constantly saying “Slow down. Stop!” Booking the final driving test was not a significant concern for me.

      However, in the U.K., the post-COVID backlog and high demand, combined with a shortage of examiners, are causing extensive wait times for obtaining a driver’s license. According to Autocar, from February 2024 to February 2025, individuals scheduling a practical test—the final hurdle of British driving tests—face an average wait of five months. The previous national average was already lengthy at 3.5 months.

      During this same timeframe, the number of testing centers with wait times exceeding six months has doubled, with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) reporting 183 centers affected. There is no data for waits longer than six months, as the maximum permitted waiting period is 24 weeks.

      In response, the DVSA has introduced a seven-point plan to alleviate these excessive wait times. This initiative includes adding 450 driving examiners, simplifying the scheduling process while making cancellations more challenging, and potentially permitting appointments beyond the 24-week limit. For instance, starting April 8, learners must cancel “10 full working days” ahead of their test to avoid forfeiting their test fee, a significant change from the previous three-day notification requirement.

      Furthermore, learner drivers face additional stresses, such as pressure to pass the test on their first attempt since a second attempt might not be available until the next year. There is also a burgeoning black market for driving test appointments.

      Independent instructors are reportedly booking fraudulent appointments for non-existent students or those with no intention of taking the test, intending to resell these slots. Bots have also been developed to quickly reserve tests in bulk immediately after new schedules are released. These test slots are being resold for £200-300 ($266-$400), while the original cost is £62 ($82) or £75 ($100), depending on the testing day.

      The DVSA has already closed down 800 business accounts that were misusing the scheduling system. Additionally, the Department for Transport (DfT) hopes that the stricter cancellation policy will prompt individuals to book practical tests only when they are genuinely ready, as reported by The Independent.

      Enhancing wait times is also aimed at stimulating the economy, particularly for younger individuals. Data from the DfT indicates that the proportion of licensed drivers aged 17 to 20 has dropped from 35% in 2019 to 29% in 2023. Many of those awaiting their driving test fall into the “economically inactive” category, meaning they are neither in education, employment, nor undergoing training.