The government has confirmed that 36 Ministry of Defence driving examiners will be mobilised for one day a week over the next year to help reduce driving-test waiting times, as pressure continues to build on the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s ability to meet demand.
In a written answer, Transport minister Simon Lightwood said the MoD has agreed to provide the personnel on a marginal-cost basis “in line with HM Treasury guidelines.” No overall cost to the public purse has yet been published, but the arrangement commits defence examiners to 12 months of support.
Richard Holden, the Shadow Transport Secretary, asked the government both for the cost estimate and for its assessment of the causes behind lengthy delays. Lightwood pointed to a mix of high demand, low learner confidence and the behaviour of candidates booking tests far earlier than before.
He said sustained demand has driven some learners to book tests before starting lessons, contributing to clogged diaries. Examiner recruitment has also struggled to keep up with losses. Since last July DVSA has recruited and trained 344 new examiners, yet 118 trainees failed or resigned during training. Net growth in the workforce has been modest: full-time equivalent examiners have risen from 1,439 to 1,485.
Lightwood set out several measures the agency will introduce in the coming months:
• Restricting the booking system so only learner drivers can book and manage their own tests
• Limiting test moves or swaps to two per candidate
• Introducing geographic limits on where a booked test can be shifted
• Using MoD defence driving examiners for up to a year to supplement capacity
He added that DVSA has “a robust complaints process,” and that complainants can escalate cases to an independent assessor if dissatisfied with the agency’s final response.
In a separate question, Patricia Ferguson asked when MoD examiners will begin work in test centres. Lightwood said they will be based at sites with the highest demand near their home locations or military bases. Before testing begins they must undergo familiarisation training, with DVSA to confirm start dates once that process is underway.
