Government drafts in the MILITARY to clear the nation's driving test backlog
The nation's driving test backlog has reached such a crisis stage that the Government has been forced to call in the military to help learners pass sooner.
Since the Covid pandemic closed the doors of Britain's driving test centres for months back in 2020, a queue of thousands of budding motorists formed, then increase, and is still yet to be cleared.
Despite a raft of changes introduced by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to reduce waiting times - including opening weekend test slots, bringing older invigilators out of retirement and simplifying the booking system - over 600,000 learners are waiting to take their tests, according to latest figures.
On Wednesday, the Department for Transport (DfT) said it has now drafted in the armed forces to lend a hand with clearing the mounting queues.
Defence driving examiners next year will be deployed to test centres in England with the longest waiting times to conduct an additional 6,500 practical driving tests per month.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the Labour Government had 'inherited an enormous backlog' of learners who have been 'sadly forced to endure record waiting times for their tests' - but new measures announced today will help them to get on the road 'sooner'.
Some 36 Defence Driving Examiners (DDEs) - who are made up of civilian MoD personnel - will be seconded from the Ministry of Defence to conduct driving tests one day a week for 12 months at test centres with the highest demand and closest to their MOD base or home
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The highest number of attempts at the practical test before passing last year was 21, costing between £1,302 and £1,575 depending on when the person took the tests
One learner eventually passed their theory exam at the 75th attempt last year, having spent £1,725 on test fees alone, AA Driving School found.
While 75 attempts sounds a lot, it pales in comparison to the record holder with the most failed tests, which stands at 127.
By the 128th - and successful - effort, their financial outlay on theory tests was an eye-watering £2,944.
But that is nothing compared to the costs incurred by drivers who fail their practical driving test.
The highest number of attempts at the practical test before passing last year was 21, costing between £1,302 and £1,575 depending on when the person took the tests.
Two people have taken the practical test 37 times without passing, spending up to £2,220 each.
