Learner drivers who repeatedly fail test 'should have fees hiked' to ease 'unacceptable' backlog

Learner drivers who have failed their driving test multiple times could face increased fees, according to a suggestion from the RAC Foundation.

The charity believes this measure would prompt learners to ensure they are fully prepared before attempting the test again, helping to alleviate the "unacceptable" backlog that currently sees candidates waiting "many months for a slot". Currently, the cost for a practical driving test is set at £62 on weekdays and increases to £75 for evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.

Government data reveals that out of the 93,204 practical car driving tests taken up to the end of March, a significant number were at least the sixth attempt for the candidate. These tests had a low pass rate of just 41.4%, which is notably less than the average pass rate of 47.9% across all attempts.

The issue of long waiting times was highlighted last month by AA Driving School, which cited DVSA figures indicating an average wait of over 18 weeks for a test as of early February. The backlog has been exacerbated by the prohibition of driving tests during COVID-19 lockdowns and further impacted by cancellations due to driving examiner strikes.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, suggests that the next government should consider offering rebates to those who pass on their first try and impose additional charges for those with numerous previous failures.

Speaking to the PA news agency, he expressed concern about the severe congestion within the testing system, stating: "Forget about all the traffic jams out on the road, there is now an unacceptable amount of congestion in the test system with learners often waiting many months for a slot."

Driving examiners' boss, Mark Gooding, has called on ministers to hike up test fees for motorists who fail their driving test multiple times in a bid to tackle the UK's backlog. He reckons the move would encourage learners to have more lessons before taking their test.

Gooding, who is the chairman of the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP), said: "In part these jams are being caused by people who have failed multiple times and come back to take a test that might be their fourth, fifth or sixth attempt, or even greater."

He added: "An improved pass rate would help drive down the understandable backlog, and if you incentivise people to pass first time there is also a case for adding a modest premium to the test fee for those who have already failed on several occasions."

Gooding explained that the figures suggest some learners "keep throwing themselves back into tests without being properly prepared".

He continued: "A higher fee might persuade them not to resit their test until they are more likely to pass. If you can improve the pass rate, this means more learners avoiding the financial and time costs associated with repeated disappointments at the test centre."

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) were approached for comment.

In February, the agency said measures to reduce waiting times included asking more qualified managers and administration staff to conduct exams full-time.

Last year it said it would increase the length of time candidates who fail the test have to wait before they can book another from 10 days to 28 days, to encourage them to wait until they are ready to pass.

Learners must pass a theory test before they can book a practical driving test in the UK.

The most successful attempts made by a candidate before passing the theory test in the first half of last year was 59. The person, who has chosen to remain anonymous, spent a minimum of £1,380 and approximately 60 hours at a test centre in Redditch, Worcestershire.

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