Committees

Driving tests availability

Non-inquiry session

Average waiting times from practical driving tests has increased from the pre-pandemic average of 6 weeks to 17 weeks in September 2024. In this evidence session the Committee will seek to understand the causes of the long wait times, the impacts that this is having on future drivers, potential solutions, and the effectiveness of steps taken by the DVSA to date.

The Committee will discuss:

• The impact of the difficulty in accessing practical driving tests

• How the scarcity of HGV driving tests has affected industry

• What possible solutions there are there for reducing waiting times and preventing slots being blocked out by automated bookings

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was Wednesday 11 December 2024.

Reports, special reports and government responses

No reports or special reports published.

Correspondence

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Letter from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport relating to Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No 3) Regulations 2025, dated 17 March 2025
Work Driving tests availability (Non-inquiry session)
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HC 437
Correspondence
Letter from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Roads, Department for Transport relating to driving tests availability, dated 25 February 2025
Work Driving tests availability (Non-inquiry session)
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HC 437
Correspondence
Letter to the Minister of Roads, Department for Transport relating to driving tests availability, dated 4 February 2025
Work Driving tests availability (Non-inquiry session)
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196KB
HC 437
Correspondence

Oral evidence transcripts

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4 December 2024
Work Driving tests availability (Non-inquiry session)
Witnesses DVSA, Department for Transport, and Emma Ward CBE
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Oral Evidence
4 December 2024
Work Driving tests availability (Non-inquiry session)
Witnesses Carly Brookfield (Chief Executive at Driving Instructors Association), Lyndsey Marchant-Davies (DfT Group Secretary at PCS), Camilla Benitz (Managing Director of Driving School at The AA), and Sally Gilson (Policy Lead for Skills and Drivers at Road Haulage Association)
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Oral Evidence

Written evidence

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Anonymised (DTA0012)
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Anonymised (DTA0013)
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Miss Julia Zouch (Approved Driving Instructor at Self employed) (DTA0014)
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Other publications

No other publications published.

Contact us

Please note: The Transport Committee examines policy issues relating to the Department for Transport and its associated bodies. It is unable to investigate, or adjudicate on, individual cases.

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