Ayr MSP Says “Labour asleep at wheel” as waiting times for driving tests continue to soar

Ayr SNP MSP Siobhian Brown has blasted the UK Labour Government for failing to get a grip of a crisis at the DVSA after it was revealed waiting times of up to six months are likely to last for another year.

Image - AA

The UK Labour Government, which has full responsibility for driving tests, previously pledged to cut waiting times down to seven weeks by the end of 2025 with Transport Minister Heidi Alexander declaring, “we’re acting fast to get Britain’s drivers moving” – but rolled back on this promise earlier this year by pushing back the deadline to next summer.

A report from the National Audit Office (NAO) has now warned learner drivers face months of delays booking practical tests because a backlog will not be cleared until November 2027.

Meanwhile, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request reveals the average wait time to book a practical driving test in Scotland has soared to 21.2 weeks - but at nearly 70% of test centres the wait has hit 24 weeks – the maximum allowed.

With the current average waiting time across the UK is 22 weeks, up from 18 weeks when Labour came to power last year, there has been no progress in tackling the backlog since the deadline was pushed back earlier this year.

Commenting, Ayr MSP Siobhian Brown said:

“These latest figures show Labour's abject failure to get a grip has resulted in waiting times spiralling under their control.

“The impact on learner drivers across Scotland cannot be understated. This is costing learners money, holding people back from jobs, education and independence, and shows a UK Labour Government failing to get a grip on an issue entirely within its control.

“Learner drivers deserve action not broken promises and more excuses”.

Car Driving Test Wait Times - 3 November 2025

DTC Name & Weekly Waiting Time

Aberdeen North

24

Aberdeen South (Cove)

8

Aberfeldy

24

Airdrie

24

Alness

19

Arbroath

7

Ayr

4

Ballater

24

Banff

6

Barra

24

Benbecula Island

24

Bishopbriggs

24

Brodick (Isle of Arran)

24

Buckie

24

Callander

24

Campbeltown

24

Castle Douglas

17

Crieff

17

Cumnock

10

Dumbarton

17

Dumfries

13

Dundee

24

Dunfermline (Vine)

24

Dunoon

24

Duns

20

East Kilbride

24

Edinburgh (Currie)

24

Edinburgh (Musselburgh)

24

Elgin

24

Forfar

24

Fort William

24

Fraserburgh

24

Gairloch

24

Galashiels

24

Girvan

24

Glasgow (Anniesland)

24

Glasgow (Baillieston)

24

Glasgow (Shieldhall)

24

Golspie

24

Grangemouth

24

Grantown-On-Spey

24

Greenock

24

Haddington

16

Hamilton

24

Hawick

21

Huntly

15

Inveraray

24

Inverness (Longman Drive)

5

Inverurie

24

Irvine

24

Islay Island

24

Isle of Mull

24

Isle of Skye (Portree)

24

Isle of Tiree

24

Kelso

21

Kingussie

24

Kirkcaldy

24

Kyle of Lochalsh

24

Lanark

24

Lerwick

24

Livingston

24

Lochgilphead

24

Mallaig

20

Montrose

24

Newton Stewart

24

Oban

24

Orkney

16

Paisley

24

Peebles

24

Perth (Arran Road)

24

Peterhead

10

Pitlochry

17

Rothesay

16

Stirling

24

Stornoway

24

Stranraer

20

Thurso

24

Ullapool

24

Wick

24