The REAL reason for driving test waiting times?

Driving test waiting times continue to be around 3 to 4 months in many parts of the UK. The DVSA say they're doing all they can to reduce them but are they really? This is a little bonus video for those of you not into my standards check ones that I'm currently releasing.

People often think that driving instructors prefer pupils to fail to keep them on their books but that is rarely true. I have heard instructors talking at test centres saying that they hope their pupil fails because they need the work but that's something for another video.

[Patryk]

Gosh. I remember when I passed my theory in January 2015 and thought I'd have the practical down in another month. Had to wait till March for my first exam, failed because of my error (mounting a curb for a couple of seconds during a maneuver), then had to wait until July for the next test, only to fail it after a guy tried to recklessly overtake me in a merger (presumably because he spotted the L symbol), I saw the guy coming and moved over a bit and started slowing down, but my examiner reacted much more harshly and pulled on the brake, grabbing my steering wheel... and failed me on the grounds of losing control over my vehicle. (At this point my exam sheet was clean, I didn't even have any minor errors and I was coming back to the test centre). Then third time comes in October and I finally pass, albeit I nearly got cut off by a taxi driver in more or less the same situation as the second test... but didn't get failed for it.

It was a bit of a nightmare, and the funniest thing is that the wait time was so long that even though I had the same examiner on all 3 occasions and I would remember him vividly, he would forget me, so for him each of my exam was with a stranger again.

I do think it's the unofficial reasoning as you said in the video, but also the possibility of them just having completely incompetent bureaucratic system.

[nbrooks]

I live in Cornwall (I passed 2 years ago) and from where I live you have two options: Redruth or Bodmin. Everyone used to favour Bodmin as that's where all the instructors went; however, with that came a waiting list for driving tests - at one point 4 months!

Redruth on the other hand (6 miles further from where I live) had examiners sat around doing nothing (according to my examiner) with waiting times around a week or two. Redruth is no harder to drive around than Bodmin as well.

Because I know Bodmin like the back of my hand I stuck at it with that test centre. Waitied 3 months for my first test (didn't mind as was still learning); however, I failed as the examiner panicked in the first few minutes of my test. Then had to wait another 3 months for my next test and failed (completley my fault that time) and then got a cancelation 3 weeks later and passed with no faults.

I'm a better driver for it I suppose because it gave me more time behind the wheel but instructors cash in on it too because as people wait for tests they are having lessons as well.

[smaviation]

I am currently learning to drive, I live in a small town in Norfolk and the nearest test centre to me is in Norwich (about an hours drive away) . The waiting times for the test centre in Norwich is 3 months even though this wait is quite annoying I don’t mind it because I don’t depend on driving to get to sixth form because I live near it I have a few friends that depend on driving to sixth form and they are not being able to drive there yet because the waiting times are so long this is absolutely ridiculous.

I personally think that if you fail the driving test you should be able to have a priory resit that is at the most a week away . And I also think that the driving test waiting times should be capped at a maximum of a 1 month wait

[dinxsy]

When i wanted to book my test there was many slots within a week time period, the following day after looking there were none for the up coming 2 months, i couldn't book a test due to not knowing my instructors time frame. My instructor had found out the instructors/owners that do week intensive courses had block booked every single spot within that 2 month period. They have an official agreement with someone within the DVSA or Test Centre (don't recall who) allowing them to do this. My advice to people starting of learning to drive is book the test way in advance, if they're not up to the standard can always cancel.

[muaythaiuk]

I think I waited 8 weeks for mine. I thought that was long but judging by the waiting times now that was nothing. I'm glad I passed first time.

[kiviKatKa]

I have a test soon and have a habit of crossing my hands when turning the wheel, is it likely I’ll be failed if I cross my hands?

[Djappyd]

It's horrible, doing my 2nd test after failing and it's been 4 months since i first booked the first test and one month since booking my 2nd test, frankly it's just rubbish, a total of a 7 months wait for two tests is well stupid. I can understand a months wait, at least your not waiting a lifetime between tests.

[CallOfBrians]

I only waitied 8 days for my hgv driving test earlier this month

[starscream]

I only had to wait a month from the time of booking to test day in Sheffield and passed first time :D

[BlueAxeRacer]

Based on my (rough) calculations, each examiner earns (roughly) £100K a year. Even when you take out admin costs the salary has to be fairly reasonable. What else could it be other than keeping demand artificially high? If that is the case, then they will surely be generating less cash than what they could, and potentially delay 1000s of perfectly safe drivers from benefiting from life opportunities.

[GeneralmoffblogsBlogspotmoffvs]

Have you seen Peaky Blinders? Thought you might be interested in it as it is set in the 1920s in Birmingham. I dunno, maybe it’s not your sort of thing.