A brand new survey by the Driving Instructors Affiliation (DIA) reveals widespread dissatisfaction amongst driving instructors with the DVSA’s present efforts to scale back check ready occasions and fight reserving system abuse.
The survey, performed on the finish of March 2025, captured the views of over 800 Authorized Driving Instructors (ADIs), three months into the DVSA’s 7-Level Plan to handle testing delays and reserving equity. The outcomes paint a stark image, with common check ready occasions nonetheless hovering at a worrying 21.3 weeks, and nearly all of instructors unconvinced by the measures in place.
Key Findings
Recruitment of Examiners Falls Flat: Regardless of a pledge to recruit 450 further examiners, the initiative was rated “Poor” general. Practically 39% of respondents rated it “Very Poor”, citing scepticism about recruitment efforts and issues over examiner retention.
Reserving System Nonetheless Affected by Abuse: The DVSA’s makes an attempt to enhance the check reserving system have been additionally rated “Poor”, with virtually half (47%) of instructors giving the bottom ranking. ADIs expressed deep frustration over the persistent affect of bots and industrial resellers.
Learners Reserving Too Early: Over half of instructors (52.6%) gave a “Very Poor” ranking to the DVSA’s marketing campaign encouraging learners to solely e-book when prepared, noting that the lengthy waits usually drive early bookings no matter readiness.
Delays After Failing a Take a look at Deemed Dangerous: The plan to increase the time between failed checks was probably the most criticised measure, with a placing 60.4% ranking it “Very Poor”. Many instructors highlighted the elevated strain and anxiousness this creates for pupils.
Poor Total Satisfaction: When requested to fee the DVSA’s general dealing with of the check backlog, a staggering 71% of instructors chosen “Very Poor”, with just one.8% giving a “Good” or “Glorious” ranking mixed.
One respondent summarised the prevailing temper: “The DVSA merely don’t perceive the idea of customer support.”
What Instructors Need
Instructors supplied a wealth of strategies to enhance the scenario. These included:
- Blocking a number of check bookings by third events
- Proscribing pupils to 1 check reserving at a time
- Permitting instructors restricted administration of check slots
- Returning certified warrant card holders to frontline testing roles
- Deploying floating examiners to cowl short-notice cancellations
There was additionally notable assist (49.6%) for the concept that solely ADIs ought to have the ability to e-book checks on behalf of their pupils – a measure some really feel might guarantee extra applicable check readiness and restrict system abuse.
A System Below Pressure
The report lays naked the continued struggles confronted by ADIs and their pupils, as efforts to scale back ready occasions look like falling brief. Whereas the intent behind the DVSA’s 7-Level Plan is acknowledged, many trainers imagine the present strategy lacks urgency, readability, and affect.
As one member commented: “The check reserving fiasco is quickly changing into as massive a scandal because the Submit Workplace was – not financially, however by way of organisational incompetence.”
The DIA continues to push for extra clear, truthful, and efficient measures to revive confidence within the system and assist each instructors and learners throughout this essential time.
You possibly can watch an replace from DIA’s CEO, Carly Brookfield, on the hyperlink right here
