MP Demands Urgent Action on Surrey Heath’s Driving Test Backlog
Dear Secretary of State,
I am writing to urgently bring to your attention significant concerns raised by my constituents regarding the difficulties in securing driving test appointments through the GOV.UK website.
Our region, along with much of South England, is experiencing a notable shortage of available driving test slots. This has compelled my constituents to undertake, for example, a 728-mile round trip to Berwick-upon-Tweed for an available appointment. This not only incurs significant additional costs and time but also leads to extended waiting periods elsewhere in the UK.
Many constituents report the need to wake up early to secure newly released slots at 06:00 every Monday. Even those who are successful face excessive waiting times, ranging from six to nine months. Given the DVSA’s reported pass rate of just 44.2% in July 2023, it is common for candidates to endure this process numerous times.
Additionally, third-party services such as 'Pass Faster' (www.pass-faster.co.uk), which charges £150 to expedite test appointments, are representative of how the current system can be exploited for financial gain. This situation clearly indicates a pressing need for systemic changes to enhance fairness and accessibility.
To address these issues, can I ask what the Department for Transport is doing to:
- Prohibit third-party booking services to eliminate exploitation through premium charges.
- Increase the number of qualified examiners to meet the burgeoning demand.
- Extend the operating hours of test centres to increase the availability of test slots.
- Establish more test centres to alleviate geographical disparities and ensure equitable accessibility.
The residents of Surrey Heath rely on private vehicles for transportation due to the area's inadequate public transport infrastructure. Timely access to driving tests is crucial for both employment opportunities and personal mobility. If the current situation persists, young people will seek to relocate to other towns or regions with superior transportation options, impacting local families, skills, and economies.
I look forward to your prompt response and would be pleased to arrange a meeting for constructive dialogue and to devise plans to address these systemic issues.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Al Pinkerton MP