Driving Test Waiting Times in Manchester

As many of you may have read in the news, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to struggle to reduce practical driving test waiting times in various regions across the UK, including Manchester. This ongoing issue has left learner drivers searching for weeks, with little success. The key reasons for this delay include:

• Loss of Examiners – Over the last 18 months, the DVSA has launched campaigns to recruit new examiners, but unfortunately, they are losing more than they can recruit. A Freedom of Information request revealed that on January 1st, 2023, there were 1,738 practical driving test examiners. By June 30th, this number had fallen to 1,691, meaning that 47 examiners were lost during this period. In fact, 343 examiners left the service, representing a significant loss of expertise.
• Higher Demand – Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increased demand for driving tests, which the DVSA has been unable to fully meet. Despite their best efforts, the DVSA only managed to reduce waiting times by 0.3% between 2023 and 2024.
• Apps & Bots – The shortage of available practical driving tests has given rise to a new industry of unscrupulous individuals developing apps and bots to secure tests faster than people can manually. These automated systems often charge individuals exorbitant fees, with some paying over £250, in addition to the standard £62 test fee. We strongly advise against using these services, as they not only fuel unfair practices but are sometimes scams offering non-existent test slots. To book a test directly, visit the DVSA website at Book your driving test – GOV.UK, or allow us to handle the process as part of one of our intensive driving courses.

At A Pass 4 U, we are working tirelessly to organize practical driving courses that include a test as soon as possible. Although the challenges mentioned above make it difficult, we are constantly searching and have had great success in securing tests for our learners. While we cannot guarantee specific dates, we do our best to meet our customers’ preferences. To ensure satisfaction with our service, we follow a simple process and don’t require payment until the driving course is arranged. Here’s how it works:

1. Initial Contact – We explain the process and any requirements, such as passing the driver theory test. We take all the necessary details from the learner.
2. Test Search – We spend significant time, sometimes days, searching for a practical driving test in the Manchester area and ensure that a fully qualified driving instructor is available to provide the necessary training leading up to the DVSA test.
3. Confirmation – Once we’ve secured a test date and instructor availability, we contact the learner to confirm the details. If the learner agrees, we request a 25% deposit to secure the course. If the course is scheduled within two weeks, we ask for full payment. Payment can be made via a secure online link or over the phone, with an emailed receipt for your records.
4. Booking Confirmation – You will receive written confirmation of the course details. Our fully qualified instructor will also contact you within 48 hours of booking to confirm all details and arrange tuition times for each day of the course.

Please note that our intensive courses typically involve 5 hours of training per day, with a short break in the middle. The final hour of the last day is reserved for the DVSA practical test. For more information on our Manchester intensive driving courses, visit: Manchester Driving Courses.

If you’re based in Manchester, being familiar with the local roads can be an advantage. Tests typically start from the DVSA practical driving test centre at one of the following locations:

Manchester Driving Test Centres: