Driving test delays causing misery for learners, says MP

DELAYS on booking driving tests are causing misery for learners in Pwllheli, Bangor and Bala, a politician has said.

- By DALE SPRIDGEON

MP Liz Saville Roberts has written to the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) amidst mounting complaints in her Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituency.

Local driving instructors and learners have told the Plaid Cymru MP that there is no availability to sit tests, for at least three months.

Learners have also been unable to book a slot three months in advance.

The delay has meant students face having to retake their theory exam because it will have expired by the time they get round to sitting their practical test.

Mrs Saville Roberts has called on the DVSA and the Department for Transport to urgently review whether current resources sufficiently meet increasing demands and if alternative options are available to clear the backlog.

She says the DVSA had planned on cutting waiting times to seven weeks by the end of 2025 but ongoing delays have meant the government was set to miss its original target for waiting times by up to eight months.

She said: “I am told by local driving instructors who, upon attempting to book a driving test for their students, face a booking system which provides no available slots at local centres in Gwynedd, namely Pwilheli, Bala, and Bangor.