Trainee drivers facing frustration with scheduling driving exams may be surprised to learn that in 2024, demand is expected to exceed capacity by a staggering 177%.
This prediction comes from a study conducted by young driver insurance provider Marmalade, which analyzed official statistics to estimate that 5,004,282 students will be vying for just 1,808,148 test slots this year.
According to Marmalade, the data indicates that the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) is operating at only one-third of the necessary capacity for administering driving tests. This shortfall is likely to result in a backlog of test requests that will extend into 2025.
Marmalade has issued a warning that the backlog could persist indefinitely unless the testing system’s capacity is increased.
Further analysis reveals that while the average monthly DVSA capacity stands at 144,429 test slots, the demand for driving tests in the UK is significantly higher at 195,982.
The insurer reports that driving instructors are advising candidates to book their tests as early as possible, leading to 527,722 test slots being booked in January for the first half of the year. This backlog is anticipated to grow each month as demand continues to outstrip the DVSA’s efforts to reduce wait times.
Loveday Ryder, the CEO of the DVSA, acknowledges the challenges within the system and urges learner drivers to only schedule their tests when they are fully prepared.
One driving instructor, Mark Steeples, advises learners to book their tests after completing their theory exam, but to only proceed if they are confident in their abilities to pass. He also anticipates that test availability may not return to pre-Covid levels anytime soon.
Chris Lawson, Marmalade’s head of insurance relations, emphasizes the risk of exploitation faced by learners due to the backlog and high demand, which could lead to third parties taking advantage of the situation.