Overview

• The UK’s driving test backlog reached a record 631,472 future bookings at the end of May, up from 527,368 a year earlier.
• Learners report waits of up to nine months for practical slots, prompting some to secure tests before they are ready.
• Labour MP Alex Mayer suggests offering every learner one free first test with a refund on passing and higher fees for multiple failures.
• Commons Transport Committee chair Ruth Cadbury endorsed the initiative as innovative and urged Transport Minister Mike Kane to take it forward.
• The Department for Transport and DVSA have announced plans to add 10,000 extra tests per month, reform the booking system and expand examiner capacity.