UK driving test backlog creates employment barriers for young people

A report from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) warns that a massive backlog in the UK driving test system is preventing young people from entering the workforce. Learners are facing average waits of up to 21 weeks, a significant increase from the five-week average seen prior to the 2020 pandemic lockdowns. Data indicates that approximately 70 per cent of test centres reached a maximum 24-week wait in September 2025.

The delay is particularly impactful for the 'NEET' population—those not in employment, education, or training. With 17.4 per cent of all job vacancies requiring a driving licence, and that figure rising to 68 per cent in sectors like plumbing, the inability to drive acts as a major barrier to employment. Furthermore, the proportion of 17 to 20-year-olds in England holding a full licence has dropped from 48 per cent in 1994 to 29 per cent in 2024.

To address the crisis, the CSJ has proposed several solutions, including the establishment of regional driving test hubs and the allocation of spare test slots to small businesses and further education colleges. There are also calls to expand the delegated examiner scheme, which would allow accredited employers to conduct driving tests for their own staff, similar to existing arrangements for the military and emergency services.