DRIVING test waiting times will remain stubbornly high despite new rules taking effect, according to research by the AA.
Changes to the booking process come into force today (Tuesday, May 12), making it illegal for anyone other than the learner themselves to book or amend a test.
The move targets resellers, who are partly blamed for extended delays across Great Britain, including at long-delay centres like Hereford.
Latest figures reveal the average wait for a practical driving test stands at 22.4 weeks, up from 20.8 weeks in January.
This exceeds the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) target of bringing waits down to seven weeks by the end of 2027.
Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, said: “Learner drivers continue to face unacceptable delays in accessing driving tests.
“The data clearly shows more needs to be done to really get a handle on the situation and start to push waiting times back.
“Without sustained action to increase capacity and stabilise test availability, long waiting times are likely to remain a feature of the system.”
AA analysis of Freedom of Information data reveals that in 2025, 69 test centres recorded the maximum 24-week wait every month, with no improvement.
In England, 58 centres—or 18 per cent—saw the maximum wait throughout the year.
In Wales, the proportion was even higher, at 22 per cent.
Hereford was among the centres in England recording the maximum wait of 24 weeks throughout 2025.
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Ms Bush said: “Although these changes, which make it against the law to book or change a driving test for anyone else, are unlikely to be the silver bullet which turns the tide on long waiting times, they do mark a shift towards overhauling the booking system for the better.
“It is only part of the solution though.
“To really improve waiting times over a prolonged period, there needs to be unrelenting focus from the DVSA on retaining and recruiting driving test examiners.”
The changes mean that learners must book or change their driving tests themselves.
Driving instructors and third parties are no longer permitted to do so on a learner’s behalf.
Have you experienced long waits for tests in Worcester? Email josh.layton@newsquest.co.uk.
