Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney area has faced severe delays in driving test bookings since the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Nick Smith MP.
Driving test bookings have faced severe delays since the Covid-19 pandemic, with waiting times averaging 22 weeks across Great Britain and many centres hitting the maximum 24-week limit. This backlog arose due to pandemic-related test suspensions, a shortage of examiners, and the exploitation of booking systems by third-party bot websites.
The National Audit Office (NAO) said there was a backlog of 1.1 million tests that were not carried out in the 2020/21 financial year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and around 360,000 of these had still not been booked.
The number of instructors has fallen by more than 6,000 between April 2011 and April 2024, according to Department of Transport figures externals, and instructors fear the system is at risk of "grinding to a halt”.
Speaking at Business Questions at Westminster, Mr Smith asked the Leader of the House when will the government issue an update on resolving the issue.
Mr Smith asked: “My constituents continue to face delays in accessing driving tests post covid. The Government’s important consultation covers tackling bot activity, bulk and speculative bookings, and improving access to genuine test slots.
“A driving instructor in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney has expressed his concerns about potential booking restrictions for driving instructors and issues around examiner recruitment. Will a Transport Minister please update the House and confirm that those issues will be considered in the round?”
The Leader of the House, Sir Alan Cambell replied:” We have doubled the number of trainers for examiners, and provided 120,000 additional tests between June last year and January this year. We have also tightened up the rules on who can book and reschedule tests to avoid exploitation by online bots and re-selling, but I will draw my hon friend’s remarks to the attention of a Transport Minister. He can either seek a meeting with the Minister or we will get an update for the House.”
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