Waiting times for driving tests are set to be as long in 2026.
A Cambridgeshire driving instructor has warned learners to book a test before they start lessons, as waiting times for tests look to be longer in 2026. Learners have faced long delays for a driving test, particularly since the Covid-19 lockdown.
The Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said it was trying to aim to reduce average test waiting times in Britain to seven weeks. The target is now expected not to be met for another two years.
Mark Howes, driving instructor and owner of MPH Driving Academy in Peterborough, has been qualified as an instructor since 2007. He has taught many learners over the years, but since said the waiting times for tests have been worse since the pandemic.
He has warned learners to “book a test before you start lessons”, as waiting times are expected to be as bad in 2026. Mark said: “I’m not overly enthusiastic that we’re going to see a massive improvement.
“I’ve got pupils booking tests for May next year already. So we’re already five months into 2026. I don’t see any quick turnaround.”
The problem with waiting times has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Mark added: “Then there has been a shortage of instructors, an increase in demand for lessons and a shortage of examiners.”
Mark has said learners should try and get their theory test passed before starting lessons. He said: “It’s a problem when you get a pupil that does 20 hours of lessons and they still haven’t passed their theory test. So be realistic.
“My advice is to anybody, do your theory test and then at least you’re in the position to book a practical test. The average person, if you look on Google, the average person takes about 40-odd hours to do lessons. So if you’re doing two hours a week, that actually works out nicely, five months from start to finish.”
As well as waits for tests being long, the search for driving instructors has also become a struggle for some learners. Mark said: “I’ve had a couple of pupils who I’ve taught brothers and sisters of and I’ve had their parents on the phone to me saying ‘I know this is a long way away, but my child is turning 17 next year, can I put a day in the diary next year?’“
For anyone thinking of learning to drive in 2026, Mark offers some top tips and advice. He said: “Be consistent with your lessons. Be inquisitive during your lessons. A lot of learners don’t ask as many questions as they probably should and don’t challenge what they’re being told as much as they should.
“We try to encourage learners to have an opinion and have an input in their lesson, rather than just being an instructor telling you what to do. But most importantly, be realistic.”
