Labour could take 'innovative' approach and offer free driving tests under new proposals

The Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard MP told the Transport Committee: "How about we do put up the fee, but we give everybody one free go at it?"

Under her proposal, successful candidates would receive a full refund of their test fee, creating an incentive for learners to only book tests when they are properly prepared.

Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailingmotoring@gbnews.uk

"So basically, if you pass your driving test, you get a refund, so that would encourage everybody to only go for it when they really thought that they were going to pass it," Mayer explained to MPs.

The need for new measures comes after the driving test backlog reached a record high of 631,472 future practical tests booked as of the end of May, according to DVSA figures.

This represents a significant increase from 527,368 a year ago, highlighting the worsening crisis facing learner drivers across the country.

Mayer said she had been "contacted by constituents who have been told they have to wait up to nine months to get a driving test slot, which is utterly ridiculous". She told the committee that people are "putting their lives on hold" as a result of the rising backlog.

The lengthy delays have created a situation where "people are booking up tests regardless of whether they're ready to take a test or not", the Labour MP explained.

Mayer highlighted a fundamental flaw in the current system, explaining that it is "cheaper sometimes to book that driving test time than it is to book a couple of lessons and that cannot be right".

The MP argued her proposal would be "cost-neutral", with refunds for first-time passers funded by increased charges for those who fail repeatedly.

"I think that we could probably make it cost-neutral, and it would free up slots because, as I said, only those people who thought that they were definitely ready would go for it, then offset it by putting up the charges for everyone who fails again and again," she said.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• Petrol and diesel car owners face huge consequences over 'extremely dangerous' fuel issue at home
• Motorists slapped with £1million in fines from yellow box junctions as councils gain extra powers
• Drivers risk court hearings and hefty fines for breaking DVSA rules with offenders having vehicles seized

Mayer's personal experience with the testing system drew laughter from MPs when she admitted: "It probably wouldn't have done me any good. I failed my driving test about five times."

Commons Transport Committee chairwoman Ruth Cadbury responded positively to the proposal, describing it as an "innovative suggestion".

The chair said the idea "should be noted" by Transport Minister Mike Kane, who was present in the chamber during the debate.

The proposal represents a novel approach to addressing the testing crisis, using financial incentives to discourage premature bookings while ensuring those who are properly prepared face no financial barrier to taking their test.

The Government has introduced measures to address the backlog, including doubling examiner training capacity and offering overtime pay incentives to driving examiners.

Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood told MPs today in the House of Commons that DVSA expects to deliver thousands of additional tests this month and is working to increase test availability further over the coming year.

However, Conservative MP Lincoln Jopp criticised the Government's handling of the crisis, noting that the backlog had been "trending down under the last Government" to 521,000 at the time of the general election.

He warned that "these increasing delays in driving tests are putting the handbrake on growth and productivity".