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Scotland Driving Test Delays: A 7-Month Wait for Moms
12 Nov
Summary
- Arbroath learners face nearly seven-month waits for driving tests.
- One expectant mother may not get her license before her baby arrives.
- A shortage of examiners is cited as the main cause of delays.
Megan Hart, a 38-year-old expectant mother in Arbroath, Scotland, faces a daunting seven-month wait for a driving test, with her baby due in April. This extensive delay, the second-longest in the UK as of October 2026, significantly complicates her family's needs, particularly with her son's epilepsy and her partner's work schedule, compounded by poor local public transport.
Driving instructors report that the official figures may understate the true waiting time, as they don't always account for the period before a test date is even allocated. This situation is financially stressful for learners like Megan, who continue paying for lessons to stay test-ready, adding to an already significant cost of over £2,000 for professional tuition.
The DVSA acknowledges increased demand and booking changes since the pandemic have contributed to long waits. While examiner numbers are reportedly at their highest in years and recruitment is ongoing, Arbroath's delays are partly due to its operational status as an outstation of Dundee. The agency states progress is being made in reducing national waits.
