Up to four months’ wait for driving tests in the island

Colin Le Page, lead officer at Traffic and Highway Services, said that the waiting times for driving tests have risen again recently due to sickness and a vacant position.

‘However, the vacancy has now been filled and we would expect to see waiting times reduce from April onwards,’ he said.

The waiting times are currently 78 working days for cars, 69 working days for HGVs, buses and taxis and 47 working days for motorcycles.

‘Our waiting times for driving tests vary across the different categories, however, our longest waiting time still remains shorter than the waiting times of up to six months being reported in the UK. The situation in the UK has also impacted our ability to use visiting examiners in Guernsey, as we occasionally would.’

Waiting times have increased from eight or nine weeks at the end of last year, which were still unusually long.

Steve Roberts, from Top Gear Driving School, was sympathetic towards T&HS’s situation.

‘They have got problems training the new examiner, it just takes time. They have to go to the UK to finish training and that can take a month.’

He said that students who were booking for their practical exam were now being offered tests in May.

‘I’m having to book tests before I know pupils are really ready, which I don’t want to do as it can block up the system. But if I don’t I will have students waiting until July.

‘Once the new instructor is here, the situation should improve rapidly.’