Waiting times for driving tests have soared to record highs, leaving learner drivers across Scotland facing months of frustration and uncertainty.
New figures show that four out of five test centres across the UK are now at the maximum possible delay of 24 weeks, with the UK average climbing to 22 weeks.
Back in February 2024 the average wait was 14 weeks.
The rise means many young people face more than five months before they can secure a test date, a delay that can affect access to work, training and everyday life.
The backlog has grown despite Labour’s pledge to cut waiting times to seven weeks by summer 2026.
That target is already eight months behind the government’s original promise.
Responsibility for driving tests lies with Westminster and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, meaning the crisis is firmly in UK government hands.
The SNP has called for urgent action, warning that Scottish learners are bearing the brunt of missed deadlines and broken pledges.
George Adam MSP described the situation as deeply unfair.
“Learner drivers across Scotland are being left in limbo, unable to access work, education or essential travel, all because Labour at Westminster has failed to get a grip on this spiralling backlog,” he said.
“Labour promised action, but what we’ve seen is delay, dithering and excuses.
“Their new target is not only too late, it’s an admission that they’ve already broken their promise to learners.”
“While officials scramble to fix Labour’s mess, Scottish young people and families are paying the price.
“This is yet another clear example of how Westminster control is failing Scotland.”
The latest figures highlight a growing pressure on test centres and a demand for solutions that work for communities across the UK.
Calls are growing for additional examiners, extended testing hours and investment to bring waiting times back to manageable levels.
For many families, the driving test is more than a milestone, it is a gateway to work, independence and daily life, and the current delays are leaving that out of reach.
