A brand new survey by the Driving Instructors Affiliation (DIA) reveals widespread dissatisfaction amongst driving instructors with the DVSA’s present efforts to cut back check ready occasions and fight reserving system abuse.
The survey, carried out on the finish of March 2025, captured the views of over 800 Permitted 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 the vast majority 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 had been additionally rated “Poor”, with nearly half (47%) of instructors giving the bottom score. ADIs expressed deep frustration over the persistent affect of bots and business resellers.
Learners Reserving Too Early: Over half of instructors (52.6%) gave a “Very Poor” score to the DVSA’s marketing campaign encouraging learners to solely guide when prepared, noting that the lengthy waits usually power early bookings no matter readiness.
Delays After Failing a Take a look at Deemed Dangerous: The plan to increase the time between failed assessments was essentially the most criticised measure, with a hanging 60.4% score it “Very Poor”. Many instructors highlighted the elevated strain and anxiousness this creates for pupils.
Poor Total Satisfaction: When requested to charge 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” score 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 ideas to enhance the state of affairs. These included:
- Blocking a number of check bookings by third events
- Limiting 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 solely ADIs ought to be capable to guide assessments on behalf of their pupils – a measure some really feel might guarantee extra acceptable check readiness and restrict system abuse.
A System Beneath Pressure
The report lays naked the continued struggles confronted by ADIs and their pupils, as efforts to cut back ready occasions look like falling brief. Whereas the intent behind the DVSA’s 7-Level Plan is acknowledged, many trainers consider the present method lacks urgency, readability, and impression.
As one member commented: “The check reserving fiasco is quickly turning into as massive a scandal because the Put up Workplace was – not financially, however when it comes to 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 may watch an replace from DIA’s CEO, Carly Brookfield, on the hyperlink right here
