Driving Test Wait Times Hit Record Highs

Driving test waiting times have reached record highs in Great Britain and Ireland, with average waits now exceeding 22 weeks in Britain and 24 weeks in Ireland, far above pre-pandemic targets of 6 to 10 weeks. The surge in delays is attributed to increased post-pandemic demand, persistent no-shows, and widespread abuse of booking systems by bots and third-party resellers. In urban areas like London and Dublin, waits can extend up to 10 months, severely impacting learners' independence and mental health. While governments are hiring more examiners, reintroducing overtime, and cracking down on booking abuses, they acknowledge that significant reductions in wait times may not occur until next summer in Britain and the end of the year in Ireland. A minority of test centres in Wales and rural Ireland offer shorter waits, but most applicants face lengthy delays. The crisis has prompted urgent calls for reforms to ensure fairer access to driving tests.