Learner drivers in Swindon are having to endure a six-month wait to get a driving test, with much of the South West at around 15.3 weeks – the fourth worst wait across England, Wales and Scotland.
Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) data has revealed there are less than 10% of slots available in Swindon within a 24-week window, the furthest in advance you can now book a test, as well as in Kingswood in Bristol, Gloucester, Salisbury and Barnstaple.
As the backlog created by COVID-19 lockdowns continues to cause learners misery, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request from Adrian Flux, one of the UK’s largest motor insurance brokers, has revealed the full extent of the delays.
Other driving test centres to avoid in the South West include Plymouth (19 weeks), Yeovil (20), Chippenham (20) and Camborne (21)
For Swindonians wanting to take a test and not have to wait six-months the best centre to book a test at is Trowbridge which only has a four-week wait or in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire which currently has an eight-week wait.
The miserable hold-ups are forcing thousands of teenagers to take extra lessons to stay sharp ahead of tackling their practical exam. As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, many are now choosing to get extra practice by getting behind the wheel of their parents’ car rather than paying for extra tuition from instructors.
Adrian Flux has seen an 108% rise in policies or quotes being made or taken out by learners who stated the car they were driving in belonged to a parent for 2021 and 2022 compared with 2018 and 2019 (data for each year taken from January 1 to October 15).
“It’s clear that the backlog caused by various coronavirus lockdowns that began in March 2020 are continuing to cause frustrating delays for young drivers,” said Gerry Bucke, Adrian Flux’s general manager.
“Taking out a policy to learn to drive in your parents’ car makes so much sense on many levels. With short term and pay-as-you-go policies from 65p-per-day it’s much more cost effective than paying for extra lessons or extending learner driver insurance cover while you wait. The parents’ no claims bonus is protected and the extra practice should hopefully help ensure you don’t have to wait for a retest.”
