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Learners forced into costly resale market for driving tests
Robert Kamugisha, a 21-year-old criminology student from Croydon, spent £726 on three driving test slots after months of waiting for an official appointment. The standard fee is £62 per test.
Robert told the BBC he felt pressured into using resellers after his instructor suggested it as a way to secure an earlier date. The reseller used his details to book the tests, which the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) later confirmed.
"Once I got the booking confirmation, I felt relief. But the cost was outrageous," Robert said after passing on his third attempt in December.
Black market thrives amid record waiting times
Official figures released this week show the average wait for a practical driving test in Great Britain was 22.3 weeks in April 2026. Scotland had the longest delay at 22.9 weeks, followed by England at 22.7 weeks, while Wales averaged 17.3 weeks.
Driving instructors report that automated bots have exploited the DVSA booking system, snapping up thousands of test slots to resell at inflated prices. Sophie Stuchfield, an instructor from Watford, said she had received over 3,300 messages from resellers advertising tests for sale.
"Learners tell me they're being asked for £200, £250, or even £300 per test-sometimes by their own instructors," Sophie said.
New rules target third-party bookings
From this week, only learner drivers can book their own tests under new government regulations. The change aims to stop resellers from using bots and learners' details to monopolize slots. Violators face legal penalties.
The DVSA hopes the measure will reduce wasted tests and help allocate resources to high-demand centers. However, Carly Brookfield, CEO of the Driving Instructors Association, warned the rule may backfire by preventing instructors from assisting learners with bookings.
"The agency has taken steps to curb bots, but the core issue remains: not enough tests are available," Brookfield said.
Government defends progress amid criticism
Simon Lightwood, Minister for Roads and Buses, acknowledged the backlog inherited by the current government but highlighted recent improvements. Nearly two million tests were conducted in the past year, with 158,000 additional slots added since June 2025. Military examiners have also been deployed to boost capacity.
Further changes in June will limit learners to swapping tests among three local centers, aiming to streamline availability.
Financial strain on learners
Robert's total costs-including resale fees and instructor car hire-reached £1,176, excluding lessons. Sophie Stuchfield said some instructors charge up to £300 extra on test day to use their vehicles, a practice she refuses to adopt.
"I don't believe learners should pay more just to take their test," she said.
