Learners in a 10-mth delay for drive test

LEARNER drivers are waiting up to 10 months for a test because of a shortage of examiners, say driving instructors.

The shortage, coupled with the number of learners who could not have lessons or practical tests due to Covid rules or lockdowns, has left a record backlog.

Around 1.6 million learners had their tests every year before the pandemic, dropping to 436,000 last year.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency says it is offering tests on weekends and bank holidays and is urging recently retired examiners to return in a bid to fill 300 vacancies.