If you are struggling to book a driving test, you are not alone — and now you know why. Across Britain, long waiting times, examiner shortages, and a broken booking system are pushing the driving test system to breaking point.
For many learners, passing the driving test itself is no longer the hardest part. The real challenge begins before you even sit in the car — waking up early, competing with automated bots, and still facing months of waiting.
Despite government promises, an official audit released this week confirms that the target to reduce waiting times to seven weeks will not be met until November 2027.
One of the biggest reasons for the delay is the growing shortage of driving examiners.
According to the National Audit Office:
Many instructors who once moved into examining for stability are now choosing to stay away — or leave altogether.
Leon Woodman, a former DVSA examiner from Devon, joined the role hoping to make a difference.
Previously a traffic officer, Woodman was used to high-pressure situations. When a friend suggested becoming a driving examiner, he saw it as a chance to bring positivity into a stressful moment in people’s lives.
He remembers failing his own test the first time because of a cold, unfriendly examiner — and passing the second time thanks to someone supportive.
“That’s the examiner I wanted to be,” he said.
And there were rewarding moments:
But the pressure was constant.
“You can prevent a serious crash during one test and be expected to start the next one five minutes later,” he explained.
Despite the responsibility involved, DVSA examiners are paid on a civil service scale, earning just over £30,000 at maximum.
For Woodman, this became unsustainable.
“With a growing family and friends working hybrid jobs, the money just didn’t add up anymore,” he said.
Since Covid, lesson prices have increased, and many instructors now earn significantly more — making examiner roles less attractive.
Jason Sykes from Dewsbury made the switch from instructor to examiner in 2016 — and loved it at first.
He enjoyed:
But after the pandemic, things changed.
He raised concerns about:
“It’s not fair on learners,” he said.
Eventually, Sykes returned to being a driving instructor.
Despite the challenges, Sykes still remembers the moments that made the job worthwhile.
One candidate, Jean, passed her test at 82 years old — after trying five times.
She had stopped learning decades earlier after marriage and only returned to driving following her husband’s death.
“Giving her that pass certificate was something I’ll never forget,” he said.
But the risks are real.
He recalls one test where a candidate nearly pulled out in front of a speeding car transporter — saved only by last-second intervention.
“There are moments where everything could have gone very wrong,” he said.
For many instructors, the examiner role simply isn’t appealing anymore.
Joshua Ramwell, a driving instructor and YouTube creator, says he has full respect for examiners — but wouldn’t want the job himself.
“It can be a thankless role,” he said.
Ramwell believes instructors get more emotional reward from teaching — especially when students finally “get it”.
But even instructors face danger.
He recalls a lesson where an anxious learner emergency-braked at 30mph — causing a rear-end collision.
“That was a very sad day,” he said.
If you are waiting months for a driving test, this is the reality behind the delay.
Until these issues are properly addressed, long waits are likely to continue.
If you want to stay informed about:
You will find daily updates here at JNDS Online, explained clearly and honestly — so you know what’s happening and how it affects you.
For many instructors, the examiner role simply isn’t appealing anymore.
Joshua Ramwell, a driving instructor and YouTube creator, says he has full respect for examiners — but wouldn’t want the job himself.
“It can be a thankless role,” he said.
Ramwell believes instructors get more emotional reward from teaching — especially when students finally “get it”.
But even instructors face danger.
He recalls a lesson where an anxious learner emergency-braked at 30mph — causing a rear-end collision.
“That was a very sad day,” he said.
If you are waiting months for a driving test, this is the reality behind the delay.
Until these issues are properly addressed, long waits are likely to continue.
If you want to stay informed about:
You will find daily updates here at JNDS Online, explained clearly and honestly — so you know what’s happening and how it affects you.
This article is based on reporting by The Guardian:
“‘It can be quite a thankless job’: why driving examiners are calling it quits,” published on December 21, 2025.
