Long waits for driving tests in Renfrewshire criticised by Lib Dems

The Renfrewshire branch of the Scottish Liberal Democrats has hit out after the Paisley test centre was revealed to be among the worst for driving test waits.

Grant Toghill, spokesperson for Renfrewshire, has today challenged the UK Government to cut long waits for driving tests and do more to block the reselling of block-booked driving tests, as an investigation by the Scottish Liberal Democrats uncovered waits of 24 weeks in Renfrewshire.

The Paisley test centre, which serves Renfrewshire, recorded a current average waiting time of 24 weeks to get a driving test. This is the same for the neighbouring Glasgow Shieldhall test centre.

Media reports and local people have raised concerns over long waits for practical driving tests and unscrupulous booking practices, where individuals or companies buy up available driving test appointments and then resell them to learners—often at inflated prices.

In response to a written parliamentary question, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) Lilian Greenwood revealed that the DVSA has issued 44 warnings, 120 suspensions, and closed 270 business accounts since new terms and conditions for the service used by driving instructors and trainers to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils were introduced in January.

Commenting on the figures, Grant Toghill said: “Learner drivers in Renfrewshire feel like they are being exploited.

“It is already a stressful experience to put in for your test but now you are not just being tested on your driving ability but the ability to beat bots and scammers to secure a rare driving test slot.

“I am glad that the DVSA have put in place additional measures to clamp down but now we need to see waiting times cut.

“I want to see the UK Government ensure that unscrupulous individuals and firms are not allowed to profit from learner drivers in Renfrewshire who just want to get on with their tests and enjoy the newfound freedoms that driving can bring.”

Headline photo: Grant Toghill
Photo Credit: Renfrewshire Lib Dems