In a bold move to tackle the growing backlog of driving tests, the UK government is implementing new rules that will only allow learner drivers to book their own tests. This decision comes as a response to the rampant exploitation of desperate candidates by online bots and third-party resellers who have been charging exorbitant fees for test slots. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has made it clear that the government is taking action to protect everyday citizens from being taken advantage of in this chaotic system.

Despite these efforts, Alexander has admitted to MPs that the waiting times for driving tests are not expected to improve significantly, with the latest projections indicating that it could take until summer 2026 to bring wait times down to a manageable seven weeks. Currently, the average wait time stands at a staggering 21.8 weeks, leaving many learner drivers frustrated and anxious about their future on the road.

To help alleviate the backlog, the government is bringing in 36 driving examiners from the Ministry of Defence to assist the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. These civil servants will conduct tests one day a week for a year, at a cost of £100,000. While the DVSA has hired 316 new examiners, the net gain has only been 40, as many have left the role. In an effort to retain existing examiners, a retention payment of £5,000 will be offered starting next year.

In addition to these measures, the government plans to impose stricter limits on how often drivers can reschedule their tests and the areas to which they can move their appointments. This is a direct response to the findings from BBC Verify, which revealed that the average waiting time across 319 driving test centers in Great Britain was 22 weeks, with many centers reaching the maximum wait time of 24 weeks.

The DVSA has been making more test slots available each week, but these are quickly snatched up by automated bots that can book faster than any human. This has led to a situation where third-party sellers are charging desperate learners up to £500 for a test slot that typically costs £62 on weekdays and £75 on weekends. Many learner drivers have reported having to wake up at 5:30 AM or spend hours in virtual queues just to secure a test.

As of last month, there were a staggering 642,000 learner drivers with tests booked, highlighting the overwhelming demand for driving tests. Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, expressed concern over the excessive waiting times and welcomed the involvement of military examiners as a potential solution. She believes that tightening the booking system will help reduce the opportunities for unscrupulous resellers to profit from the struggles of learners.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, echoed these sentiments, stating that it is encouraging to see steps being taken to combat those profiting from the frustrations of learner drivers. With candidates stuck in long queues, it is crucial that they feel assured that they are not being sidelined by opportunists looking to make a quick buck. The government's new measures aim to restore fairness and accessibility to the driving test system, ensuring that all learners have a fair shot at obtaining their licenses.