Political opinion with Andrew Griffith MP: Driving test backlog is entirely fixable
Last week I wrote about the need for the government to declare a moratorium on higher taxes including hikes in business rates for pubs Just days later the government did a U-turn on business rate hikes for pubs so perhaps they read this column.
Another of my suggestions was for the government to sort out the shocking state of delays in accessing driving tests.
It should not take half a year to get a driving test — but for far too many learners, that is now the reality. In rural areas, delays are preventing people from taking up work, apprenticeships and college places, while piling extra pressure onto families to act as a taxi service.
This is not a minor inconvenience. It is a failure of basic state capacity — particularly affecting younger people who need a driving licence to get on with their lives.
Nationally, the figures are grim. The AA reported in 2025 that average waiting times had reached a new high, with learners typically facing waits of around 20 weeks, and the number of test centres showing the maximum 24-week wait doubling in a year. Locally, those trying to book at Chichester driving test centre are also facing extended delays: one widely used tracker currently suggests the next available slot is around 14 weeks away — and that can worsen quickly as demand rises.
This is entirely fixable with focus and ministers holding DVSA managers to account. I was part of the team in 10 Downing Street which fixed similar delays by the passport office. Post pandemic there were long and anxious waits which we solved by making it a clear No10 priority with weekly accountability meetings, improved workflow and ensuring that passport staff were working full and productive shifts. From a ten week wait, the average turnaround time dropped to just a matter of days.
The state should be people’s servant, not master and it is this attitude and focus which our young people need.