In April, BBC Verify found that the average waiting time across the 319 driving test centres in Great Britain was 22 weeks, with three-quarters of centres hitting the maximum average wait time of 24 weeks.
Every week, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) makes more tests available but many are rapidly booked up by bots – automated software that can act much faster than humans.
Companies then resell the test slots to desperate candidates at inflated prices.
Last month, 38 MPs signed a letter calling on the government to take “the strongest possible action” on the issue of re-selling tests.
The driving test costs £62 for a weekday slot or £75 for evenings and weekends.
The letter said some third-party sellers are charging up to £500.
Labour MP Amanda Hack, who organised the letter, said she supported the changes.
“The surge in [test] prices is linked to widespread test swapping since the Covid pandemic. While some changes are legitimate, bots and third parties exploit unlimited swaps, hoovering up tests and making it harder for genuine learners.”
Learner drivers have said they have had to get up at 05:30 GMT or wait in a virtual queue for hours to book a test directly.
