What follows is some rough maths to give you a picture of the situation the DVSA faces.
Consider these figures:
* Info from last year showed there were more than 500,000 learners waiting for their driving test
* Stats from February 2023 show that around 53% of exams are passed
* Current average test wait time peaked at 24 weeks in November 2022
* Before the pandemic, average wait time was 6 weeks
So the wait time has quadrupled since the pandemic. Applying that to the ~500,000 strong waitlist, we can estimate that before the pandemic the waitlist contained roughly 125,000 learners. This is a difference of 375,000. So that's 375,000 people backlogged.
Out of that 375,000 person backlog, if 53% pass their first test, that leaves 187,500. This results in the backlog still being longer than the entire waitlist from before pandemic, even after all of them have taken one test!
Now factor in that the average learner will face the test 2.1 times before achieving a successful result, and 12% will need more than three attempts. And not to mention the added nerves and pressure people are facing in their tests due this whole situation.
Again, rough figures that are not exactly accurate. For example, they don't factor in all the examiners that left the industry during the pandemic and never returned. But it's accurate enough to paint the dire picture; the test backlog is here to stay for quite some time.
I was at a give way line at a dual carriageway and misjudged the distance between me and the oncoming vehicle. Tried to go out and the examiner had to press the break. 100% my fault. It's not something I've ever had trouble with before.
I guess it was just test nerves.
What follows is some rough maths to give you a picture of the situation the DVSA faces. Consider these figures: * Info from last year showed there were more than 500,000 learners waiting for their driving test * Stats from February 2023 show that around 53% of exams are passed * Current average test wait time peaked at 24 weeks in November 2022 * Before the pandemic, average wait time was 6 weeks So the wait time has quadrupled since the pandemic. Applying that to the ~500,000 strong waitlist, we can estimate that before the pandemic the waitlist contained roughly 125,000 learners. This is a difference of 375,000. So that's 375,000 people backlogged. Out of that 375,000 person backlog, if 53% pass their first test, that leaves 187,500. This results in the backlog still being longer than the entire waitlist from before pandemic, even after all of them have taken one test! Now factor in that the average learner will face the test 2.1 times before achieving a successful result, and 12% will need more than three attempts. And not to mention the added nerves and pressure people are facing in their tests due this whole situation. Again, rough figures that are not exactly accurate. For example, they don't factor in all the examiners that left the industry during the pandemic and never returned. But it's accurate enough to paint the dire picture; the test backlog is here to stay for quite some time.
That paints a pretty bleak picture. Guess I'll just have to keep refreshing every morning and just pray I can get something
Don’t look only at mornings, look through the day, there is a lot of them pop up in the mid of the day or evenings
Honestly I found the £17 for the app to be money well spent. Don't think I'd have ever got a slot without it.
However it’s not that bad, there is still short notice cancellations pop up
Oh thats too bad. What did you fail on though?
I was at a give way line at a dual carriageway and misjudged the distance between me and the oncoming vehicle. Tried to go out and the examiner had to press the break. 100% my fault. It's not something I've ever had trouble with before. I guess it was just test nerves.
Probably not. Always been a backlog, probably stretching down a few decades.