West Midlands continues to suffer extraordinary driving test waits times despite improvements

Driving test wait times in the West Midlands continue to lag behind the national average despite improvements.

Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) show that appointment availability is still close to the 24-week maximum booking window, despite dropping 1.5 weeks across the region in the last six months.

The national average, however, was 19.2 weeks in October, while locations such as Featherstone, Kingstanding, Stafford and Wednesbury remain at the 24-week limit.

The number of test centres suffering from the 24-week maximum wait time has more than halved nationally in the last six months, but it’s in stark contrast to the situation pre-pandemic, when the average wait time was just over five weeks.

Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, said: “National average availability remains well above DVSA's seven-week target, and the expectation of November 2027 being when this target will be achieved will still feel very far away to learners.

“Learners need confidence that the improvements we are seeing will continue. Long waits can delay young people gaining the independence that comes with driving, including opportunities for employment and education.”

Test centres in Dudley, Lichfield and Wolverhampton were part of the 54 per cent of test centres which did see a reduction from the maximum wait time. They fell to 22.8, 22.3 and 23.8 weeks respectively, still far above the national average.

The DVSA aims to get wait times down to seven weeks by November 2027 for learner drivers wanting to take their test. The previous deadline for this was Summer 2026, however, the change failed to materialise.

A watchdog in 2025 said: “The DVSA must focus on recruiting new examiners so it can increase the number of driving tests it provides.

“As the current booking system is not working for learner drivers, the NAO (National Audit Office) has recommended that DVSA should take this opportunity to review how it manages the booking of driving tests and restore good service.”

Part of the small drop in wait times is thanks to a reform of the online booking system. Since May 2026, only students can book tests, limiting third parties from filling slots and exploiting learner drivers.