Calls to change driving tests for the learners who keep failing

Calls have been made for driving test fees to be raised for learners who have already made multiple unsuccessful attempts.

Government figures show 93,204 practical car driving tests taken in the year to the end of March were at least the candidate’s sixth attempt at passing.

The RAC Foundation making people pay would encourage them to wait until they are ready to pass, easing the “unacceptable” test backlog which often forces candidates to wait “many months for a slot”.

The highest number of unsuccessful attempts made by a candidate before passing the theory test in the first half of last year was 59.

The individual, who has not been named, spent at least £1,380 and around 60 hours on the process at a test centre in Redditch, Worcestershire.

The success rate for those tests was just 41.4%, compared with an average rate across all tests of 47.9%.

Last month, AA Driving School said it obtained Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) figures suggesting the average waiting time for a test at the start of February was more than 18 weeks.

Driving tests were prohibited during coronavirus lockdowns, leading to a huge backlog of candidates.

Thousands of tests were also cancelled due to strikes by driving examiners.

Practical driving tests cost £62 during weekday daytimes and £75 during evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said the next government should consider introducing rebates for learners who pass the test first time, and additional fees for those with several previous failures.

He told the PA news agency: “Forget about all the traffic jams out on the road, there is now an unacceptable amount of congestion in the test system with learners often waiting many months for a slot.

“In part these jams are being caused by people who have failed multiple times and come back to take a test that might be their fourth, fifth or sixth attempt, or even greater.

“An improved pass rate would help drive down the understandable backlog, and if you incentivise people to pass first time there is also a case for adding a modest premium to the test fee for those who have already failed on several occasions.”

Mr Gooding said the figures suggest some learners “keep throwing themselves back into tests without being properly prepared”.

He went on: “A higher fee might persuade them not to resit their test until they are more likely to pass.

“If you can improve the pass rate, this means more learners avoiding the financial and time costs associated with repeated disappointments at the test centre.”

Nicholas Lyes, director of policy and standards at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, warned that, although the logic behind additional fees “might seem reasonable”, officials must be careful about further adding to increasing motoring costs.

He added: “Moreover, a looming threat of higher subsequent test costs could be unnecessary pressure we’re adding to somebody’s first test.

“Ultimately, driving instructors in consultation with the learner driver are best placed to decide on when somebody is ready to take their practical test.”

The DVSA’s Ready To Pass campaign states that many learners take tests “before they’re ready”, and includes advice on the skills needed to pass.

In February, the agency said measures to reduce waiting times included asking more qualified managers and administration staff to conduct exams full-time.

Last year it said it would increase the length of time candidates who fail the test have to wait before they can book another from 10 days to 28 days, to encourage them to wait until they are ready to pass.

Learners must pass a theory test before they can book a practical driving test in the UK.