Raise driving test fees for those failing, RAC says

Driving instructor Ashley Raymont says raising fees for those failing is equal to punishment

Learner drivers that fail their test multiple times should have to pay more to retake it, the RAC Foundation has said.

The move would force people to save up and wait until they're ready, easing the "unacceptable" test backlog, claimed the motoring charity.

It said the current pass rate of 48% was too low and needed to be raised to reduce the backlog built up over the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, driving instructor Ashley Raymont said increasing fees was equal to "punishment".

"For some it can already cost thousands and to increase the test fee is just punishment," said Ms Raymont, 30, from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan.

"Neurodiverse learners are putting themselves out there and often fail due a silly mistake they’ve not made before in the company of a stranger judging their driving."

Ms Raymont agreed the backlog desperately needed to be tackled, but said more funding to train examiners would be the solution.

"In Cardiff there are eight examiners where as in Barry there are only two, you’re looking at a hundred tests a day compared to a handful.

"People don’t stay in areas local to them as they can’t get tested."

Student Emilia Copp passed on her fourth attempt and says that anyone can fail, regardless if they're ready or not

Emilia Copp, 23, who passed on her fourth attempt, said even well-prepared learners could fail their test.

"Any other exam I don’t feel nervous, but the driving test I struggled," said the Cardiff University student.

"I ended up failing with just two minors on my first test and my nerves just got worse each time."

She said even without the suggested price increases, she spent about £1,500 on lessons and tests before she passed in 2018.

In 2024, practical driving tests cost £62 during weekday daytimes and £75 during evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Ms Copp said she had to work two jobs at university to pay for her lessons and tests

Steve Gooding, RAC Foundation boss, said: "Of the nearly 2 million practical car driving tests conducted last year fewer than half resulted in the candidate being awarded a full licence.

"It must be in everyone’s interests to improve this pass rate so people can access the opportunities driving brings, not least when it comes to employment.

"But also, more first-time passes means fewer people queueing to take another test, clogging up a system already struggling to cope with demand.”

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said it was unable to comment while the new government was being appointed.