The Express reports that campaigners have condemned the “chaos” in the testing system which has left would-be drivers facing an average backlog of 15 weeks

The scramble for appointments means that people are turning to third-party websites to get notification of last-minute cancellation slots, and often finding there are no tests available in their part of the country.

Countryside Alliance researchers using one of those services found people living in the Dorset town of Swanage wanting a test within a week would have to make a 71-mile journey to Portsmouth.

They also found candidates in Brecon, Powys, facing a 54-mile trip to Bridgend for a test in nine weeks’ time.

Buckingham Conservative MP Greg Smith, who has been contacted by worried constituents, said the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) should not be blaming the pandemic for the waits.

He said: “I represent a rural constituency and being able to drive a car to go to work or college is essential. We need DVSA test centres to get back on track if we are to get rural Britain moving again. It has been a year since Covid restrictions ended and the public sector needs to stop hiding behind that as an excuse.”

Full article:

The Express - Learners in rural areas have to travel 70 miles for driving test, research shows