Britain's driving test backlog has exceeded 600,000 for the first time, forcing younger drivers to travel around the country for a test.
Analysis of Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) figures shows 603,352 future practical driving tests were booked as of the end of April.
This represents a significant increase from 521,190 a year ago, despite the Government taking steps to slash the growing waiting list for learner drivers.
The first four months of 2025 saw 610,000 tests taken, down 15 per cent from 718,000 during the same period in 2024.
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There is now a backlog of more than 600,000 tests around the UK
GETTY
The DVSA had temporarily boosted test numbers between October 2023 and March 2024 by deploying all eligible staff from other roles to act as examiners.
This temporary measure has now ended, contributing to the current shortfall in available tests.
The DVSA previously attributed the backlog to "an increase in demand and a change in customers' booking behaviour".
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said last month the Labour Government "inherited an enormous backlog" but is "acting fast" to tackle the issue.
She promised at least 10,000 extra tests would be available each month, in addition to hiring hundreds of new driving examiners.
Speaking to the Commons' Transport Select Committee, Alexander outlined plans to reduce the average waiting time to seven weeks by summer 2026.
Recent analysis by the AA Driving School showed waiting times were averaging 20 weeks in February.
The Government will shortly launch a consultation on amending the driving test booking system to combat black market practices.
Staff qualified to conduct tests are being asked to voluntarily return to frontline duties. The number of permanent trainers for new examiners is also being doubled.
Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, said: "Learner drivers have waited long enough for an improvement to the lengthy waiting times to secure a practical test slot, it should not be this hard to book your driving test.
"There have simply never been enough test slots in the system to make up for those which were lost during coronavirus lockdowns and, as such, the backlog has persisted."
"New measures recently announced to tackle this are welcome and we eagerly await positive movement in the waiting times to ease the pressure on pupils."
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Some younger learner drivers have been forced to wait months for a driving test
PA
She noted that it was "vital" to ease the strain on driving tests to ensure those who need them for work or education can access them.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "The current backlog facing learner drivers is completely unacceptable, but we are taking decisive action to address the situation inherited from the previous Government.
"Thanks to the intervention of the Secretary of State, an additional 10,000 driving tests will be made available monthly. This will ensure ready learners can book their tests more quickly, helping unlock opportunity and support economic growth."
