Ipswich learner drivers wait four months for driving tests

Analysis from the TaxPayer's Alliance has revealed that despite the fact that the number of driving instructors is at its highest since 2015, there remain long waits for tests.

Across 20 tests centres in the East of England, the average 16-week waiting time compares to the longest average waiting time of 23 weeks in London, 20 weeks in the South West and West Midlands and 18 in the East Midlands and South East.

Learner drivers in Yorkshire and Humber have to wait an average of 17 weeks compared to 16 in the North West, 15 in Scotland and the North East and 12 weeks in Wales where waits are the shortest.

Harvey Mower, 16 and from Debenham, is studying a multi-skills course in construction at Suffolk Rural College. He said that many of his friends had been impacted by the long waits.

He said: “I’m only 16 but I’ve got my theory test near my birthday. But I know lots of people who have had to wait a long time [for their tests[.”

Harvey Mower (Image: Suffolk Rural College.) Sophia Crabb, 16 and from Kesgrave, is studying on a Level 2 Art and Design course at Suffolk New College. She said: “It puts you off the idea of going through it [taking a test] if you have to wait ages.”

Noah Cooper, 16 and from Kesgrave and also on a the Level 2 Art and Design course at Suffolk New College said: “Obviously it’s a bit of a pain to keep waiting.”

Noah Cooper and Sophia Crabb. (Image: Suffolk New College.) Grace Freeman-Tinsley, 17, from Ipswich, is on a Level 3 Performing Arts course at One Sixth Form College. She said that delays in booking a test had cost her a small fortune.

She said: “I have my test booked but it took me ten months. My driving instructor thinks I’m ready to pass. But because I have to wait for my test, I’m having to pay for extra lessons. It costs me £80 each time. So, it’s frustrating in a way.”

Grace Freeman-Tinsley (Image: Eastern Education Group.)Kelis Ivatt, 17, from Sudbury who is studying A Levels at One Sixth Form College said that the long waits may mean that learners who had booked a test but who now do not feel confident would be less likely to cancel, potentially making them more likely to fail the test.

She said: "Personally I haven’t been affected by it. But say - if you don’t feel ready and you want to cancel your test, you’re probably not going to do that as the wait for another test is so long.”

Kelis Ivatt. (Image: Eastern Education Group.) John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: "Taxpayers are being driven up the wall by the time it takes to get a driving test.

“Aspiring drivers up and down the country are facing waits of months, potentially delaying or denying opportunities for employment and causing massive inconveniences to those eager to get behind a wheel.

“The government needs to end the postcode lottery of driving and end the backlog”.

Ellen Pasternack, of the campaign ‘End the Backlog,’ said: "The End The Backlog campaign has spoken to many individuals who say that not being able to book a driving test has held them back, and restricted their ability to get jobs.

“This ridiculous situation has gone on long enough - it is long past time the government introduced surge capacity to clear the backlog."