Learning to drive should be exciting – booking lessons, nailing the theory, and day-dreaming about that first solo trip to McDonald’s drive-thru. Yet for thousands of teens across Britain, the fun part has turned into a waiting game. Securing a practical test date now feels tougher than grabbing Glastonbury tickets, and the queue gets longer every week.
As reported by LBC, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is juggling record demand, examiners in short supply, and a booking system under siege from bots. If you’ve typed “earliest driving test near me” only to see dates months away, this guide is for you. We break down what’s really going on, why the backlog ballooned, and – most importantly – how you can still beat the wait and earn your full licence sooner.
1. Why all the fuss?
If you’re 17 and itching to swap your L-plates for a full licence, you’ve probably already heard grumblings about “the backlog”. As reported by LBC on 17 June 2025, more than 630,000 learner drivers now have a practical test booked – the highest number ever recorded.
That’s 631,472 tests pencilled in, compared with about 527,000 this time last year. In plain terms: queues for test slots are stretching from summer right into winter – and in some areas even further.
2. How did it get this bad?
Let’s break down the main culprits in language that makes sense when you’re revising for your theory test:
| Culprit | What actually happened? | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|---|
| Covid-19 hangover | Test centres shut during lockdowns, cancelling tens of thousands of bookings. | Those postponed slots never truly disappeared – they just got pushed further down the line. |
| Examiner shortage | Lots of experienced examiners retired or moved jobs, and recruiting new ones takes months. | Fewer examiners = fewer daily tests in your local centre. |
| ‘Book-and-hope’ behaviour | LBC reports the DVSA noticed learners grabbing the first date they see – even if they’re not ready – just to get any slot. | When nervous learners fail, they re-book, clogging the system all over again. |
| Bots & “black-market” booking services | Sneaky software snaps up cancellations, then resells them at silly prices on social media. | Genuine learners (like you) get pushed to the back unless they pay extra. |
| Surprise drop in test numbers in early 2025 | Despite the record queue, the DVSA carried out 14 % fewer tests between January and May 2025 than in the same period of 2024. | Demand is up, supply went down – boom, backlog grows. |
3. What the DVSA and Government are doing about it
The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, insists the new Government is “acting fast”. Here’s their five-point plan:
- 10,000 extra tests per month – overtime payments for examiners and qualified DVSA staff returning temporarily to the front line.
- Hiring and training more examiners – the number of permanent trainers is doubling so new recruits can be signed off sooner.
- Cracking down on bots – an eight-week consultation (shorter than the usual 12) aims to redesign the booking system to block automated bulk bookings.
- Pass-rate push – public reminders to wait until you’re truly ready so fewer slots are wasted on failed attempts. Pass-rate figures are already creeping up: May 2025 scored 50.2 %, the best monthly result since 2021.
- Target wait-time of seven weeks – the Department for Transport hopes to reach this by summer 2026. Right now, AA Driving School data shows an average of 20 weeks – basically half a year.
4. What the numbers really show
Let’s put some maths on the table (don’t worry, no tricky algebra):
- Tests booked: 631,472 (end of May 2025)
- Tests completed Jan-May 2025: 757,867
- Tests completed Jan-May 2024: 877,387
So even though the queue is longer, 119,520 fewer tests were actually carried out in the first five months of this year. That’s like the population of York still waiting for a shot at the wheel.
Meanwhile, the pass rate rose from 48.9% (May 2024) to 50.2% (May 2025). Half of all candidates are now going home with a pink licence – which is good – but the other half are immediately re-joining the queue.
Steve Gooding from the RAC Foundation sums it up nicely: “Learners are already competing for slots in November, and it’s only midsummer.” In other words, if you haven’t booked yet, you’re aiming for a chilly test morning in a foggy car park unless things speed up.
5. Five smart tactics for beating the backlog
Book as soon as you’re confident – not before, not after.
Rushing in too early wastes your money and someone else’s slot.
Leaving it too late means you’ll be stuck on L-plates long after your mates are planning motorway trips.
Be flexible with test centres.
Most learners gravitate to their nearest DVSA location. Check smaller centres within an hour’s train ride – they often have shorter waits.
Use the official “change your test” service on GOV.UK to swap if a closer date pops up (it’s free).
Avoid the black-market bots.
Paying £100+ to a stranger on Instagram for a “guaranteed” slot is risky – there’s no refund if they disappear.
The DVSA is re-coding its system to cancel tickets made by bots, so you might lose the slot anyway.
Try an intensive course with a built-in fast-track test.
Training providers (like us at Rated Driving) pre-reserve small blocks of tests and then pair them with multi-day lesson packages.
Yes, they cost more up front, but you’ll often get a date weeks sooner than booking solo.
Use the wait wisely.
Slot still months away? Turn that frustration into practice time.
Drive in the dark, in the rain, on dual carriageways – the lot. When test day finally arrives, you’ll feel bullet-proof.
6. The Rated Driving promise
We’re learners’ biggest fans – in fact, we built our whole platform so you can:
- Match with DVSA-approved instructors in your local area or near your college digs.
- Pick lesson packs that fit your budget: weekly, semi-intensive, or full-on five-day sprints.
- Track your progress in our app (how many minors you made on that last mock, plus tips to fix them).
- Chat to real humans – our support team spent their teenage years juggling A-Levels and test nerves too, so they speak your language.
7. Your most-asked questions – answered
Q1. If I fail, how soon can I retake?
The DVSA makes you wait at least 10 working days before re-booking. With today’s queue, the next available slot might be months. Solution: only go in when mock tests consistently hit 5 minors or fewer.
Q2. Do theory certificates still run out?
Yes. You get two years from the date you pass your theory to pass the practical. If the backlog drags on, keep an eye on that expiry date – you don’t want to revise hazard perception videos all over again.
Q3. Are weekend tests real?
They are, but they’re as rare as a clean car after a storm. Centres that do open Saturdays tend to sell out within minutes of slots being released.
Q4. What about automatic vs manual – is one queue shorter?
It depends on where you live. Urban centres with lots of driving schools sometimes have more automatic tests free because fewer learners book them. Rural areas can be the opposite. Check both before deciding.
8. A quick reality check
Waiting for a test can feel like being stuck in traffic on the M25 – slow, stressful and out of your hands. Yet LBC’s data also shows something positive: pass rates rise when learners wait longer, because they end up getting more driving hours in before exam day. Treat the wait as forced practice rather than wasted time. Your future self-driving solo down to the beach will thank you.
9. What happens next?
July 2025: Government consultation on the booking system closes.
Late 2025: New anti-bot tech is expected to launch, blocking mass re-sellers.
2026 goal: Average wait shrinks to seven weeks.
Will they pull it off? No one can promise – but extra examiners, overtime shifts and smarter software give learner drivers a fighting chance.
10. Final thought
Yes, 630,000 people queuing for tests sounds terrifying. But remember: every day thousands of those learners pass, free up their slot, and head off on their first solo drive. Stay focused, keep practising, and use the tools at your disposal (including ours). Your name will move up the list – and sooner than you think you’ll be waving goodbye to your L-plates.
