Military driving examiners are being deployed to rural areas as part of a set of initiatives aimed at assisting learner drivers in obtaining their licenses. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has promised swift action, introducing new regulations to prevent automated systems and intermediaries from monopolizing driving test bookings and reselling them at inflated prices.
Acknowledging the challenge of meeting the target to reduce the average waiting time for booking a test to seven weeks by summer 2026, the Cabinet minister revealed that the waiting time stood at 21.8 weeks by the end of June. The government’s strategy involves allowing military examiners to conduct tests for civilians, potentially offering an additional 6,500 tests in high-demand areas over the next year.
In a bid to combat fraudulent practices, the Department for Transport announced that only learner drivers themselves, not instructors acting on their behalf, will be able to book tests. By restricting who can schedule tests and how many changes can be made, the government aims to prevent third parties from reselling tests at inflated prices.
Instances of individuals falling victim to scam artists posing as third-party test sellers on social media have underscored the need for these measures. Additionally, new rules will limit learner drivers to a maximum of two changes to their test, including maneuvers, swaps, and location alterations, before requiring a cancellation and rebooking. DVSA data indicates that as of the end of October, 642,000 learner drivers in Britain had future test bookings.
To address the backlog of learners awaiting driving tests, the government has enlisted 36 Defence Driving Examiners (DDEs) from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to conduct tests once a week for a year, with the DVSA paying the MoD £100,000 for their services. The military examiners, accustomed to testing service personnel on a range of vehicles, will primarily focus on car tests but can also administer vocational tests for bus and lorry drivers if necessary. They will operate from driving test centers in high-demand areas near their MoD base or residence.
Commenting on the initiative, Armed Forces minister Al Carns praised the readiness of military and civilian MoD personnel to assist the nation during times of need. Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, welcomed the additional support from military examiners, expressing hope that it would alleviate the strain on the system and curb exploitation by unauthorized test resellers. Bush emphasized the importance of sustained efforts to bring waiting times back to pre-pandemic levels, stressing the need to recruit and retain more examiners for sustainable test delivery.