WAITING times for practical driving tests Newton Abbot’s test centre have fallen substantially from the highs seen during the pandemic, with recent figures showing a growing proportion of learners taking their test within seven weeks of booking.

Data from the Driving Standards Agency shows significant fluctuations in both waiting times and the availability of appointments at the Brunel Road centre from January 2019 to August 2026.

Before the pandemic, waiting times were comparatively short.

In February 2020, the median time between booking and taking a test was 5.3 weeks, with 72 per cent of tests taken within seven weeks of booking.

Just 1.3 per cent took more than 21 weeks.

The situation changed dramatically in 2021.

In April that year, the median waiting time between booking and taking the test reached 20 weeks.

Only 10.1 per cent of tests were completed within seven weeks, while 46.6 per cent took more than 21 weeks.

At the same time, almost every standard appointment made available was booked: 1,621 out of 1,627 slots, or 99.6 per cent.

Waiting times subsequently improved, although they remained well above pre-pandemic levels for much of 2022 and 2023.

In June 2022, the median wait was 11.4 weeks, while 31.8 per cent of tests took between 14 and 21 weeks.

By April 2023, the median had risen to 12.9 weeks, with 22.1 per cent of tests taking more than 21 weeks.

The figures show a more sustained improvement during 2024 and 2025.

The median waiting time fell to 8.7 weeks in December 2024 and 6.1 weeks a year later.

In December 2025, 52.8 per cent of tests were completed within seven weeks, compared with 45.4 per cent in December 2024.

The improvement continued into early 2026.

February recorded the lowest median waiting time in the dataset at just 4.4 weeks, while 60.3 per cent of tests were completed within seven weeks.

March recorded a median wait of five weeks, with 59.6 per cent completed within seven weeks.

However, the latest figures suggest that the improvement has not been entirely consistent.

By August 2026, the median wait had increased to 6.8 weeks, while the proportion completed within seven weeks had fallen to 49.1 per cent.

The proportion taking more than 21 weeks also stood at 18.4 per cent.

Capacity has also changed significantly. In 2021, virtually all available appointments were being taken.

More recently, a larger proportion of appointments has remained available within the booking window.

In August 2026, 1,786 of 2,018 standard appointments were booked, leaving 232 available — 11.5 per cent.

Overall, the figures show a Newton Abbot test centre that experienced severe pressure in 2021, followed by a gradual recovery.

The centre is now providing considerably more capacity and, in recent months, learners have been able to secure tests substantially sooner than during the worst period of the backlog.