Driving examiners carrying out extra tests in trial to tackle DVSA backlog

Driving examiners could be asked to carry out more tests each day as the body in charge of driving tests struggles to meet demand.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is holding trials to examine the impact of asking examiners to carry out one additional test per day.

The agency currently faces a major backlog of tests as the impact of the Covid pandemic and lockdowns continue to be felt. Lockdown led to hundreds of thousands of tests being cancelled or rescheduled and efforts to protect examiners and students led to fewer tests being carried out each day.

In June, the DVSA announced that testing levels were returning to pre-pandemic levels, with examiners carrying out seven tests per day.

However, it estimates that by increasing the number of tests an examiner can carry out to eight per day it could offer between 15,000 and 20,000 additional tests every month.

In an announcement to driving instructors the agency said: “Reducing the current waiting times for a driving test is a matter of national importance and DVSA, driving examiners, you and your pupils all have a crucial role to play in this.

“Increasing the number of tests examiners can offer during their normal working day is one of a range of measures we are taking to reduce driving test waiting times as quickly and safely as possible.”

The move has been welcomed by driving schools and instructors, who said that without it learners could face another two years of disruption.