Oral QuestionDepartment for Transport

What steps she is taking to help reduce waiting times for driving tests.

Tabled: 5 February 2026Answered: 12 February 2026

Asked by

Tracy Gilbert

LabourEdinburgh North and Leith

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Transport

Answer from Hansard

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lilian Greenwood)

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s top priority is to reduce car practical driving test waiting times while upholding road safety standards. In November 2025, the Government announced that we will change the booking system so that only learner drivers will be able to book and manage tests, with learner drivers limited to two changes to their test. We are also introducing geographical restrictions. In addition, we are utilising military driving examiners. As of December 2025, there were 1,542 full-time equivalent driving examiners in post—the highest number since 2021.