Expect Delays Of Up To Five Months For Your Driving Test

By Blind Spot DriveBlog

Expect Delays Of Up To Five Months For Your Driving Test

The COVID-19 pandemic has left its indelible mark on most aspects of daily living, and to the learner drivers, it’s made securing a driving test appointment quite a big deal. A huge backlog that was created by lockdown cancellations means learners in the UK are now facing delays of up to five months trying to secure a driving test date. The elaboration of the situation will, in all, look at how the backlog came about, what is being done to fix the backlog, and how learners can take full advantage of the waiting period.

Understanding Driving Tests Delay

In total, it is estimated that 420,000 driving test appointments were canceled due to COVID restrictions across the UK. The DVSA is now trying to work through this backlog; restrictions are being lifted, but this is proving difficult with such a large number of learners waiting for both practical and theory tests.

Lessons and tests were expected to start in April of 2021: lessons from 12 April, and tests from 22 April. However, the delays are important. Even more difficult is the timeline in Scotland, where the Scottish government has not given a specific date when driving tests are supposed to resume, though lessons were tentatively scheduled to start from 26 April.

This has resulted in the backlog of tests postponed and canceled, thus giving learners an unprecedented waiting period. Recent reports indicate that the average waiting time for a driving test in the UK stands at 20 weeks, or just about five months. Testing has restarted, but demand remains high, and waiting times will continue well into the foreseeable future until such time as the DVSA can catch up with the current and future demand.

Steps Taken to Alleviate Waiting Times

In response to this back-log, DVSA is putting in place various measures to try and increase test availability and reduce waiting times. Here’s a look at what’s being done to help:

1. Increasing Theory Test Capacity

The current back-log for theory tests with the DVSA stands at about 380,000 appointments. In light of that, they have taken steps to expand capacity:

Additional Test Centers: To allow for an additional 110,000 tests each month, ten pop-up theory test centers have opened. If everything goes according to plan, this extra capacity should help clear the theory test backlog by the end of August.

On-line Theory Tests Request: On the other hand, DIA has suggested that DVSA institute on-line theory tests, which will further speed things up. This was only a proposition and not taken to date but clearly shows new ideas to include more flexibility for learners.

2. Practical Driving Test Delays

The practical driving test backlog is even bigger, at 420,000 tests that were postponed because of lockdowns and other restrictions. The following are some of the many things that the DVSA is working on to address the situation:

Improved Testing Capacity: The driver vehicle standards agency intends to conduct seven driving tests daily for every examiner upon a full resumption of operations. At the moment, testers are only conducting five each because of the safety protocols that are in place and, hopefully soon, will return to full capacity.

Recruiting Additional Examiners: In addition, the recruitment of 300 new examiners will bring the total to 1,675 examiners plus some DVSA office staff who can conduct tests and have been deployed as emergency examiners.

Re-employing Retired Examiners: The DVSA have contacted retired examiners and asked them to return and help out with this backlog. This approach increases workforce capacity on a temporary basis and allows them to provide more test slots during high demand.

Buying Back Annual Leave: Compensation has also been offered to examiners to give up some of their annual leave in exchange for conducting more tests during this high-demand period.

3. Vaccination Roll-out for Examiners

Because the majority of examiners are over 50 years old, by the time testing resumes, the majority will have had their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccination coverage is important to keep examiners and learners safe to ensure that testing operations can function with fewer restrictions.

4. Encouragement of Mock Tests and Instructor Assessments

Both DVSA and DIA have expressed the view to prepare through mock driving test and readiness assessment, which should be done by driving instructors. Driving instructors will help minimize reattempts by ensuring learners are well prepared and ready for their test, which should, in turn, lower demand on test slots in the longer term. Learners are encouraged to re-schedule their test if they are not adequately prepared; this could result in a higher first-time pass rate and, therefore, a reduction in the need for rebooking.

Waiting Period Utilized in Full

While it is depressing to face extended waiting times for driving tests, learners have this period to adequately prepare, thereby increasing their chances of passing both the theory and practical tests on their first try. Here are some strategies you can employ towards maximizing the delay:

1. Progress with Driving Lessons as Usual
Even if a test date is a long time away, regular driving lessons should be carried out. More frequent lessons with an instructor will also serve to build the confidence in learners, refining their driving skills and their overall road awareness. The more practice done, the better the learners will be when they undertake the test.

2. Supplement Lessons with Private Practice
Where possible, learners should seek to supplement these professional lessons with private practice sessions with either a family member or friend. Private practice is an exceptional means of earning extra hours on the road without the extra costs. It is, however, very important to keep these sessions constructive in focusing one’s attention on those aspects that need improvement. The qualified supervising driver must accompany the learner, and sessions should be planned to reinforce the skills taught during formal lessons.

3. Focus on Theory Test Preparation
The theory test can sometimes be a sticking point for learners, so this is a great opportunity to get that aspect nailed while they wait. In that regard, Theory Test Pro and practice with the official Highway Code are helpful. Encourage learners to take mock tests regularly, go through mistakes, and ensure that they are good at road rules and hazard perception.

4. Take Mock Driving Tests
Learners participating in mock driving tests with instructors will help reduce test-day nerves and give insight into what is expected in the real test. Mock tests are devised to replicate the conditions of an actual driving test, therefore it helps the learners to know what to demonstrate and where they need to improve. The DIA encourages learners to take mock tests as part of their preparation, as this can be a very effective way of practising under test conditions and building confidence.

5. Stay Updated on DVSA Announcements
The DVSA will most likely still be taking further action to control the number of backlogs and waiting times. Learners should review all the announcements that have been made by the DVSA. Additionally, if the changes in scheduling or requirements raise any questions, it is best to consult with the driving school or instructor. This helps the learner identify new opportunities or updates coming their way and adapt them to the driving journey.

Practical Steps That Can Be Taken by Learners During the Delay
The following represents some practical steps to take in order to best set up learners when their test date arrives:

Lesson Planning: Instructors are in high demand and thus it can be very difficult to book a lesson on short notice.

Ration practice drives to the roads and road types that would most probably come up during the test. Familiarization with test routes or similar roads reduces surprises at the time of the actual test.

Work on your bad areas: Those aspects of driving that you know you do poorly, be it parallel parking, three-point turns, or driving through a roundabout. Putting in some extra time in weaker areas may prove priceless.

Positive Consideration: Long delays may be frustrating, but a learner driver should regard additional preparation time as an opportunity to be better and even more confident drivers.

Conclusion: Turning a Setback into an Opportunity

Undoubtedly, the five-month wait for driving tests constitutes a set back for many learners, although it is also a leaf to be turned and an opportunity for becoming a far more prepared and skilled driver. Of course, the steps being taken by the DVSA-through recruiting additional examiners and increasing theory test capacity-will help alleviate the backlog, but it’s going to take time until test availability returns to normal.

Meanwhile, the learners can use this to their advantage by relentlessly practicing, studying the theory, and preparing for the practical test through mock assessments. In this regard, the learners could better their chances of passing in one attempt, with fewer rebookings, thus contributing over time towards improvements in test availability.

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