By bizn_fun 
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) had planned to cut waiting times to seven weeks by the end of 2025.
The NAO’s inquiry found delays have led to people paying third parties to secure tests, some of whom were “paying significantly inflated prices of up to £500” – nearly eight times the official DVSA fee of £62 for a weekday slot.
It said the DVSA struggled to “understand the real demand for tests” because third party websites quickly book available slots using automated programmes known as bots.
“These delays can have a serious impact on learner drivers’ income and the economy, with 30% of respondents to a DVSA survey saying they need to be able to drive for their jobs,” the watchdog said.
The NAO also reported a lack of examiners and found many were leaving “due to uncompetitive pay and safety concerns”. Despite running 19 recruitment campaigns since 2021, DVSA has only hired 83 extra examiners, far short of its 400 target.
In the 2023/24 financial year, DVSA had a total of 220 staff at its 240 test centres who were qualified examiners.