Driving Test Booking Slots

For many young people in Surrey Heath, learning to drive opens the door to work, education and independence. Long waits for tests have left families paying for months of extra lessons, with some travelling hundreds of miles to secure an appointment.

Al led a parliamentary debate on driving test availability in November 2025, bringing the experiences of hundreds of local survey respondents directly to Ministers. He highlighted the pressure on families and the opportunities lost when learners cannot get a test, particularly where public transport is unreliable.

Alongside the debate, Al has written to the Transport Secretary and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, calling for more examiners, more appointments and a fairer booking system. His parliamentary questions revealed 24-week waits at Farnborough, Guildford and Chertsey in May 2026.

New rules introduced that month prevent third parties from booking car driving tests on learners’ behalf, addressing a problem he repeatedly raised. However, improving the booking process must be matched by greater availability locally.

Al will continue pressing for shorter waits and accessible tests, so that learners who are ready to drive can move forward with their lives.