YOUNG Brits cannot get jobs because of massive waits to take their driving test, a new report warns.
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) think-tank found that learners face a 21-week wait to get a driving test.
Young Brits cannot get jobs because of massive waits to take their driving test, a new report warns Credit: Tshitij Magar
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) think-tank found that learners face a 21-week wait to get a driving test Credit: Getty
This means many youngsters cannot get work because they need to drive a car to either get to work or do many jobs.
It comes amid growing concern about the 1 million 18 to 24 year-olds not in employment education or training – dubbed NEETs.
Sign up for The Jattvibe newsletter
Thank you!
Daniel Lilley, from the CSJ, said: “There are many reasons for the enduring NEETs crisis, many of which feel intractable.
“But we should not overlook the roadblocks we can remove to help young people find work – the availability of driving tests being one of them.
MUM’S PAIN
My girl died in boy racer crash – he escaped with a scratch and kept his licence
STEER CLEAR
UK’s hardest driving test centres – including one with 34 per cent pass rate
“The driving test system has been completely overwhelmed since the pandemic, and will continue to shut young people out of job opportunities unless we find new solutions.”
The think-tank called for regional driving test hubs to be created and spare test slots to be given to FE colleges and small businesses so they can get young people into work.
It also said colleges should be able to use training cash to fund driving tests if they are linked to jobs.
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: “Our latest data shows the median driving test waiting time for Great Britain was 11.1 weeks in July 2026, and the number of tests also at its highest point since our records began.
“But we recognise how frustrating it is for every learner who has to wait longer for their test date.
“That’s why we’re continuing to put more tests into the system, with almost 305,000 extra tests carried out since June 2025.”
