Learner drivers across rural Scotland are facing significant delays when trying to book their driving tests, with some individuals waiting up to five months to sit their exams. This backlog, exacerbated by the pandemic, has raised concerns about the mobility and employment prospects of young people, particularly in rural areas.
The situation has become so dire that some learners are being forced to look for test dates in other regions, while others are left in limbo, unsure of when they will be able to take the next step toward gaining their independence on the road.
Frustration in Rural Scotland
Dylan Whiteley, a 17-year-old from Oldmeldrum in Aberdeenshire, shared his frustration with BBC News after spending seven weeks trying to secure a test date in his local area. “I’m going away to university in mid-September, and that’s coming close,” he said. “If something happens — if I fail it or anything — then it will be really tricky to get it done.”
Dylan is prepared to take his test in a different part of the country if necessary, although he acknowledges that driving on unfamiliar roads will make the test more difficult. “If the wait times are less, then it might have to be,” he added.
Unfortunately, Dylan’s experience is far from unique. Many others are finding themselves in similar situations, where the lack of available test slots is causing added stress and uncertainty.
The Scope of the Problem: Backlog and Pressure
The backlog of driving tests has continued to rise, with the average waiting time for a test in the UK currently standing at 21 weeks. In some areas, learners are waiting for more than six months to get a slot. The pandemic’s impact on test scheduling and the increase in demand for driving tests has made it difficult for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to catch up, despite efforts to clear the backlog.
Phil Machray, a driving instructor based in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, described the situation as the worst he’s seen in his 10 years of teaching. “It’s difficult to run a business, as well as the pressure learners feel knowing that if they fail a test, they’re going to have a significant wait again,” he said. “It’s just not fair.”
Phil pointed out that rural areas are at a geographical disadvantage due to a lack of test centres in comparison to urban areas. “Currently my waiting list is probably four to five months,” he added. The imbalance has made it even harder for rural learners to secure a timely test date.
Impact on Learners and Their Careers
For many young people, securing a driving license is essential not only for personal mobility but also for career prospects. Isla Forrester, 30, from Aberdeen, recently failed her test and was given the next available slot in September, a delay that she finds both frustrating and disheartening. “It’s really frustrating and it’s really disheartening,” she said. Isla now has to contend with the added costs of continuing her driving lessons while waiting for a test date.
Isla is not alone in her struggle. Mary Willis, 17, from Portsoy in Aberdeenshire, applied for her test in March and has just received a date for June. Mary hopes to start a business as a mobile nail technician, but without her license, her plans could be delayed. “Without a licence, it’s going to maybe slow down, or even put me off starting my business,” she explained.
The wait for a driving test is not just a matter of personal frustration; it has broader implications for individuals’ careers and their ability to move forward in life.
Potential Solutions
In response to the growing issue, UK government Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander recently addressed the situation, assuring MPs that her department is working to eliminate the backlog by the summer of 2026. One possible solution being explored is the introduction of 10,000 extra driving tests per month to help clear the backlog more quickly.
However, many driving instructors and learner drivers remain skeptical, fearing that the damage has already been done and that rural areas will continue to face long delays. The use of computer bots to snap up test cancellations and resell them at inflated prices has also become a problem, further exacerbating the issue.
As the demand for driving tests continues to outstrip supply, learners in Scotland, particularly in rural areas, are left grappling with extended wait times, financial strain, and uncertainty about when they will finally be able to gain their independence on the road.
