Pledge to clear driving test backlog by next summer

The transport caput has pledged to trim the fig of learner drivers successful England waiting much than 5 months to beryllium applicable tests.

Heidi Alexander said the authorities would purpose to wide the backlog by adjacent summer, providing astatine slightest 10,000 other driving tests a period to assistance tackle the issue.

Current driving trial hold times are "totally unacceptable", she told parliament's transport committee connected Wednesday.

There is simply a minimum six-month hold to publication a driving trial successful respective areas of the UK, according to information from the AA.

Alexander besides revealed plans to treble grooming capableness truthful much driving examiners would beryllium disposable and said she was asking those successful different Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) roles who are qualified to analyse to temporarily "return to the frontline".

She said it would besides reintroduce overtime wage incentives for everyone delivering driving tests.