There are more learner drivers than driving test slots available and the South West accounts for nearly eight per cent of the national backlog, figures suggest.

Insurance company Marmalade have found there are 150,456 test slots available in the South West, compared to 275,856 learner drivers.

According to the DVSA, the average wait time for a driving test before the Covid pandemic was six weeks in England, but now learners can expect to wait nearly 17 and a half weeks, despite tests being released on a weekly basis.

Between April 2020 and March 2021, there were 3,938 cancelled driving tests at Swindon test centre due to the pandemic. 

Out of 2,751 tests from April to December 2020, the pass rate was 53.3 per cent on average. 

From April to December 2023 there were 6,525 driving tests, with a lower average pass rate of 47.5 per cent. 

Seb Goldin, CEO of RED Driver Training, said: "Young prospective drivers are highly motivated, and driving instructors work hard to prepare them for their driving tests. Currently, there is a longer wait time to book tests due to the system still catching up from the backlog, which in turn can prevent prospective drivers from learning to drive. 

“As the DVSA are working hard to elevate the backlog and reduce waiting times, we understand that prospective drivers may be eager to get on the road as soon as possible. That’s why we encourage students to make sure they are as prepared as possible before booking their test, so they have the best chance possible of passing and are not disappointed and further delayed."

Driving tests can be booked up to 24 weeks in advance and the AA use forward bookings as an indication of backlog. 

Data from the DVSA shows there were 194,438 advanced bookings in January 2019, compared to 531,783 in January 2024, highlighting the increasing demand and a backlog that has still not cleared.

Despite the DVSA adding 150,000 extra driving test slots across UK test centres, Marmalade estimated there will be nearly four million learners nationally hoping to book a driving test this year - 82 per cent more than the number of tests available. 

A recent survey by Marmalade found 77 per cent of learner drivers across the UK said the extra cost of lessons was the most frustrating thing about having to wait for their driving test.