An instructor has called for driving test fees 'to double' as way to reduce the backlog.
Some learner drivers are having to wait six months to bag a test with a study from AA Driving School shows more than half a million people are waiting for driving tests throughout the UK.
Speaking to BBC Somerset, Arthur Mynott, the Motor Schools association's South West chair said that is driving test fees were more expensive, pupils would 'think twice' about 'taking valuable slots'.
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He noted that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), has seen a reduction of examiners through the pandemic and pupils had booked tests through that period.
From April 2021, The DVSA has since has created about 428,000 more test appointments than are normally available by taking such actions including, recruiting new driving examiners and carrying out overtime.
Mr Mynott explained: "Because tests are only £62, people find a cancellation, the instructors say 'you're not ready for your test' and they go and take the test in their own car.
"So the examiners are putting themselves in danger in a pupil's car with no dual controls."
He added: "I think the test is way too cheap.
"It would make them think twice about going into it earlier and taking those valuable test slots that pupils who are ready could be using."
Mr Mynott also suggested that driving instructors should be paid more as a way to encourage more application for the role. As they are classed as civil servants, their pay is determined by the government.
This comes as learner pass rates have also fallen as over half of those sitting the driving test and failed in the last year.
Car driving tests were failed 786,400 times between April 2021 and March 2022. According to the research by the DVSA, driving examiners had to physically intervene in 168,583 tests during that time to avoid a dangerous incident. This would include taking hold of the wheel or brake in one in five failed tests.
They are now urging learners to be 'more test ready' before booking a slot.
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