UK Deploys Military to Ease Driving Test Backlog

The UK government announced new measures on Wednesday to address a severe backlog in driving tests, deploying military examiners and restricting bookings to curb reselling by third parties. With nearly 668,000 learner drivers awaiting practical assessments across England, the changes aim to shorten average waiting times, currently at 21.8 weeks, and ensure fairer access to slots.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander outlined the reforms during testimony to the Transport Select Committee, emphasizing the need to tackle delays inherited from the COVID-19 pandemic, which halted test centers for months in 2020. Under the updated rules, only learner drivers themselves will be permitted to book tests through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), excluding instructors and other third parties. This move targets bots and touts who have been snapping up available slots and reselling them at inflated prices, sometimes up to five times the standard fee of £62 for a weekday test or £75 for evenings and weekends.

To further prevent manipulation, learners will face a limit of two changes per booking, covering moves, swaps, or location adjustments, after which the slot must be canceled...