Learner drivers in the north-east are facing a five-month wait to sit their test.
Would-be drivers last night branded it a “disgrace” that staff shortages at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (Dvsa) meant they were waiting months to sit their test.
Fraserburgh dad Mark Chapman has spent hundreds of pounds learning to drive so he can transport his young children, but recently had his test cancelled at the last minute.
The next available one is in June.
He said: “I think it’s a disgrace. People are willing to pay all that money for a theory test, then take lessons to build up their confidence on the road, then the test is cancelled.”
Mr Chapman has spoken to other drivers in the Fraserburgh area who were also facing long delays and added: “I think all this
should be told to learners before they take months of lessons then find there are no tests available.”
Figures released last year showed Banff and Buchan has the highest road casualty rate in the UK.
People travelling on north-east routes are 111% more likely to be killed or seriously injured than the national average.
And local safety campaigners have called for driver education to be made a priority to reduce road fatalities.
Troup councillor Mark Findlater is chairman of a local safety group which offers £150 for drivers to take advanced Pass Plus classes.
He said: “It just so happens my daughter sat her test this week and passed first time. But she was delayed a good while.
“It comes down to cost – we know driving lessons are expensive. If someone’s up to standard and ready to do the test then it’s a real shame they have to wait this extra time.”
Mr Findlater said the extra cost of paying for lessons while learners wait for to get their licence – which might be a prerequisite for a job – could prove a barrier to some people.
“It’s a hard time for families and this is another added expense,” he added.
Councillor Ross Cassie, a former driving instructor and examiner, said: “Fraserburgh has historically had higher waiting times. And there is a problem in relation to examiners because the DVSA hasn’t been taking them on. There is a lot of unrest in the examining force due to industrial relations matters.”
The DVSA has acknowledged that waiting times are higher than hoped for.
Phil Lloyd, head of operations for the agency, said: “We have been, and are continue to, work to address this increase in demand and have been running driving examiner recruitment campaigns throughout 2015.”
The DVSA has recently employed 139 new examiners across the UK and made offers to a further 115.
