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UK Driving Test Waiting Times 2026

Estimated waiting times by test centre — updated March 2026. Want a date sooner? Swap your test free on Swappy →

New DVSA rules from June 2026: Test swaps now require both learners to call DVSA together for verification. Swappy's automated 3-way calling makes this effortless. Learn more →
Inverness

Scotland

6 wks

low
Carlisle

North West

7 wks

low
Bangor

Wales

7 wks

low
Truro

South West

8 wks

low
Lincoln (Canwick Road)

East Midlands

9 wks

low
Exeter (Marsh Barton)

South West

10 wks

moderate
Norwich (Mile Cross)

East Anglia

11 wks

moderate
Cardiff (Llanishen)

Wales

13 wks

moderate
Edinburgh (Currie)

Scotland

14 wks

high
Nottingham (Colwick)

East Midlands

15 wks

moderate
Sheffield (Middlewood)

Yorkshire

16 wks

high
Leicester (Ash Field)

East Midlands

16 wks

high
Glasgow (Anniesland)

Scotland

17 wks

high
Leeds (Yeadon)

Yorkshire

18 wks

high
Bristol (Brislington)

South West

19 wks

high
Manchester (Cheetham Hill)

North West

20 wks

very high
Birmingham (Kingstanding)

West Midlands

22 wks

very high
London (Wanstead)

London

23 wks

very high
London (Belvedere)

London

24 wks

very high
London (Tolworth)

London

26 wks

very high

Skip the wait — swap your test date

Thousands of learners use Swappy to legally swap to an earlier date. It's completely free.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the driving test waiting time in the UK in 2026?

As of 2026, average UK driving test waiting times range from 6 weeks in rural areas to over 26 weeks in major cities like London. The national average is approximately 16 weeks.

Which driving test centres have the shortest waiting times?

Rural and smaller centres like Inverness, Carlisle, Truro and Bangor typically have the shortest waits — often under 8 weeks.

How can I get an earlier driving test date?

The fastest legal method is to swap your test with another learner who has a date you want. Swappy is a free platform that connects learners to swap test dates through DVSA.