Military driving examiners will help deliver up to 6,500 more tests in tough new measures to tackle the driving test backlog, the government announced on Wednesday (12 November).
There will also be a new limit on rearranging tests and a ban on third parties booking on behalf of learners in order to make the system fairer, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said.
The Department for Transport, working in partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MOD), has announced 36 defence driving examiners (DDEs), made up of civilian MOD personnel, will help conduct driving tests one day a week for 12 months.
The extra personnel will be focusing primarily on car driving tests but with flexibility to carry out vocational tests, for bus and lorry drivers, if needed. They will be based at the driving test centres with the highest demand near their MOD base or home location.
“We inherited an enormous backlog of learners ready to ditch their L-Plates, who have been sadly forced to endure record waiting times for their tests. Every learner should have an equal and fair opportunity to take a test.
“We’re taking decisive action and these new measures will deliver thousands of extra tests over the next year, helping learners get on the road sooner. This will ease pressure on the system, removing barriers to opportunity and supporting economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.”
Military driving examiners usually test service personnel, covering cars as well as fuel tankers and armoured carriers. The new arrangement will benefit both parties, helping tackle the driving test backlog and keeping DDEs’ skills sharp.
The Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, has authorised the deployment of military driving examiners to help bring down the backlog, with no negative impact on military operations.
New rules to be introduced
Alongside military support, the government is introducing new rules to tackle unfair booking practices that have allowed bots and resellers to profit at learners’ expense.
New rules will mean that:
- Learner drivers will only be able to make up to 2 changes to the driving test in total – including moves, swaps, and location changes – before it must be cancelled and rebooked.
- Learner drivers will be restricted to a limited number of test centres, which are located close to the original booking.
- Only learner drivers will be able to book their own test and not instructors on their behalf.
Limiting who can book a test and the number of changes made will mean third parties will no longer be able to resell tests at inflated prices.
Learners will only pay the actual fee DVSA charges – £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings, weekends, and bank holidays – giving them greater control and confidence when booking a driving test.
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