Ruth Cadbury To Ask 'Tough Questions' on Driving Test Delays
Chair of Transport Committee highlights waits in her constituency
Ruth Cadbury chairing the Transport Committee
November 15, 2024
Brentford and Isleworth MP Ruth Cadbury is warning driving test officials that they are set to face tough questions.
In her capacity of Chair of the Transport Committee in parliament she is highlighting the way long waiting times for tests are leading to an increasing problem with driving test touts who charge exorbitant fees to desperate drivers hoping to jump the queue.
Currently, one of the biggest tests for new drivers is being able to book one in the first place. Average waiting times in England are currently over 20 weeks. This is an increase of five and a half weeks over the last two years.
Ms Cadbury points to a website which is offering earlier slots at well above the £62 official charge which gives the wait time in Isleworth as 23 weeks. People with test slots are reselling them at prices up to £242.
Her intention is that MPs on her committee will get to question senior officials at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency soon.
Speaking to ITV News’ Consumer Editor Chris Choi, Ruth Cadbury she said, !Why are test centre touts allowed to get away with scooping up the spare slots and then selling them for four times the going rate? This should not be a private sector profiteering racket.
“People need to get their driving tests. I am hoping that we will have the Chief Exec of the DVSA in front of [the Transport Committee] if not before the end of this year, then early in the new year.”
Officials at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency told ITV News that tackling re-sellers is a priority and it has taken down thousands of touts’ accounts and are working hard to cut wait time.
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