Driving Tests for Learners
The backlog for tests overwhelming
Sign the petition to add pressure on the government to further tackle the causes of the backlog and make booking tests easier for learner drivers.
Cut the driving test backlog
Learner drivers are waiting months for their test, costing extra money and time. Brian is calling for urgent action to cut the backlog and give local people a fair chance. Wiltshire’s young drivers deserve better.
Survey - Share your experiences
The survey will gather local experiences of booking and sitting driving tests to help shape Brian's campaign to improve access for rural learners. Residents are encouraged to take part and share their stories.
Brian's Updates
26th March 2026 🚗 Driving tests – still no real answers
I raised the issue of driving test delays in Parliament today – something so many people across our area have contacted me about. Unfortunately, the Minister’s response simply didn’t cut it. ❌
People are waiting months and months for a test, travelling huge distances, and in many cases putting jobs, education and independence on hold.
That’s just not good enough.
In rural constituencies like ours, having a driving licence isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity.
I won’t be fobbed off with vague answers. I’ll keep pushing the Government for real action to bring waiting times down and make the system work properly again.
If you’ve been affected by driving test delays, I still want to hear from you. Your experiences matter and help strengthen the case for change. Email 📧 brian.mathew.mp@parliament.uk (subject: Driving tests)
14th Oct 2025 🚗 Driving Test Delays
More Action Needed to Support Learner Drivers.
Learner drivers continue to face long waits for driving tests, causing real frustration for young people, families, and instructors across our communities.
While I welcome the Government’s recent steps to increase capacity, including recruiting 450 new examiners, delivering additional tests each month, and tackling test-booking bots - it’s clear these measures do not yet go far enough.
Learning to drive is an essential for many, especially in rural areas like ours where public transport options are limited. Prolonged delays can affect access to work, education, and opportunity. It is also causes a real drain on finances.
I’ll continue pressing the Government to take stronger, faster action to bring down waiting times and ensure a fair, reliable booking system for all learners.
For those currently booking, please only use the official GOV.UK website to avoid hidden fees or unreliable third-party services:
You can read the response I received on Facebook here.
24th Sept 2025 🚦 Learner drivers in Wiltshire are being failed.
Across Wiltshire, young people tell me they can’t book a driving test until December.
This leaves them paying for extra lessons, struggling to get to work, and missing out on opportunities.
With only 4 test centres in Wiltshire (and just 3 running full-time) and no test centre in Bath, demand is sky-high.
In a rural area like ours, where public transport is patchy, that reliance on cars is even greater.
I’ve written to the Secretary of State for Transport calling for urgent action to cut the backlog and give local people a fair chance. Wiltshire’s young drivers deserve better.
You can read my letter on Facebook here.