Learner drivers travelling 300 miles for lessons

Driving instructor Naughton Dunn, of Shropshire, said he had been approached for lessons by people in Edinburgh and Essex

A driving instructor is getting calls from people hundreds of miles away, who have booked tests in his town in an attempt to beat long waits for a slot.

Naughton Dunn, of Ludlow, said he had been approached by candidates from as far away as Essex and Edinburgh.

They had booked tests in the Shropshire town after searching nationwide and wanted to familiarise themselves with the likely route, he said.

The DVSA said it was taking measures to reduce driving test waiting times.

"Literally today I had a phone call from a woman who left a voicemail saying she's travelling up from Essex. Her son's got a test tomorrow. Could I fit him in for an hour to show him around the the the area?" Mr Dunn said.

"I've had people from Edinburgh. I've had people, lots of people, from all over the Midlands," he added.

Frustrated drivers seek out short-notice slots to reduce their wait, often accepting appointments many miles from home using cancellation apps which search for available tests.

Waiting times rose to a peak of 24 weeks in 2022, partly down to Covid lockdowns in the two years before that.

It has prompted action by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to clear the backlog, including a recruitment drive and lengthening the time between re-tests.

Waiting lists down

The DVSA said waits were now down to an average of 18 weeks and November had seen its highest monthly number of tests - nearly 200,000 - for more than 15 years.

The agency also said its waiting list was down to a little more than 500,000, its lowest for eight months.

Mr Dunn said: "With the resources they've got, they're doing their best."

He welcomed extra test slots at weekends to reduce the queue.

DVSA chief executive Loveday Ryder said: "The work we've been doing to date, along with our examiner recruitment, is already creating over 40,000 extra tests every month.

"We strongly urge learners only to book their driving test when they are ready to pass.”