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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Caroline Davies and agency

UK opens up more driving test slots to help reduce backlog

DVLA test centre in Erith, South London.
The DVSA conducted 168,644 driving tests in September 2025, an increase of 14% on the same month last year. Photograph: Jill Mead/The Guardian

More driving test slots are being made available to tackle a severe backlog as figures show a 15% increase in learner drivers with future tests booked compared with this time last year.

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) figures show 668,128 people had a practical driving test booked in Britain at the end of September, up from 579,138 a year earlier.

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