Best places for driving test waiting times in the UK

• These are the top 10 test centres with the shortest waiting times based on DVSA data (between April 2020 and March 2021)
• Learner drivers in the UK are waiting an average of 14 weeks
• Some learners will wait considerably less time to sit a practical driving exam

New drivers in the UK are facing long delays for practical driving tests in 2021 as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) attempts to clear a huge backlog caused by the Coronavirus pandemic and national lockdowns.

• The 10 worst places for driving test waiting times in the UK

The DVSA cancelled a whopping 241,127 driving tests between April 2020 and March 2021, which means, on average a new driver faces a 14-week wait for a practical test appointment. However, thanks to new research, we've found the best test centres in the UK with the shortest waiting times. 

We've crunched the latest DVSA numbers to reveal the driving test centres in the UK with the shortest waiting times. This data is based on individual driving centre wait times, recorded between April 2020 and March 2021.

What is the average waiting time for a driving test in the UK? 

The average waiting time for a driving test in the UK was a little over two months in 2020, with learner drivers facing a nine-week wait for a practical test. However, according to the latest DVSA figures, this number increased by 55% in the first two months of 2021.

A Freedom of Information request by heycar has found that the average waiting time for a driving test in 2021 is 14 weeks. However, if you drill into the regional numbers, that maximum waiting time can increase to a whopping 18 weeks. 

The coronavirus pandemic has been blamed for the UK's huge driving test backlog, with 241,127 practical tests being cancelled between April 2020 and March 2021. 

When will driving test waiting times return to 2019 levels?

In short, no one knows. We asked the DVSA when waiting times were expected to return to normal and a spokesperson said: "We have put measures in place to increase practical driving tests when it is safe for them to resume. 

"These include offering overtime and annual leave buyback to examiners, asking all those qualified to conduct tests, but who do not do so as part of their current day job, to return to conducting tests, and conducting out of hours testing (such as on public holidays).

"In addition, we have also started a recruitment campaign to increase the number of examiners. The aim is to increase testing capacity and reduce the backlog as quickly as possible, whilst maintaining a COVID-secure service for our customers and examiners."