Driving test wait cut plan gets cautious welcome

Plans to recruit hundreds of examiners to slash spiralling wait times for driving tests have received a cautious welcome from an MP.

Liberal Democrat Helen Morgan, who represents North Shropshire, has campaigned about the issue, which she said was a big problem in her constituency.

It was thought to be impacting scores of young people who are ready to take their test but have to wait, in some cases, for up to six months.

The government acknowledged the "huge" backlog and said its recruitment drive will bring waiting times down to seven weeks by December next year.

Morgan has been vocal about the closure of The Lodge test centre in her constituency, which was shut in April 2022 to cut costs.

There had been plans to open a new one in parts of the Whitchurch Civic Centre but that plan has been discarded due to building safety concerns.

The situation was made worse by "inadequate" bus services, with young people impacted the most, she said.

"The only way really to get about is by car," she added.

"If you're ploughing all that money and time into learning to drive and you've got to wait another five or six months to get your test that's not acceptable."

Morgan added the problems were down to recruitment and retention combined with a "lack of interest" in rural areas.

She welcomed plans by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency but urged the government to target rural areas as well as cities.

"I hope we get some rural focus and some absolute results for people who want to get their driving test sorted out."

In December, a driving instructor from Ludlow, said he had been approached by candidates from as far away as Essex and Edinburgh.

A spokesperson for the DVSA said the new measures would help make the driving test booking system fairer for learners.

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