LEARNER drivers are facing waits close to six months in Colchester due to a major backlog caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Freedom of Information requests submitted to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have shown learner drivers were waiting as long as 24 weeks to sit their driving test in the spring of this year.

In March 2020, just before the coronavirus lockdown, learner drivers were waiting an average of 14 weeks to sit their test, still well in excess of the government target which is six weeks.

Figures also show only 13 per cent of centres in the UK had waiting times which were shorter than one month.

Mark Cole, a driving therapist specialising in teaching those with learning disabilities or anxiety, said the long wait for a test has exacerbated the difficulties which are already faced by many of his pupils.

He said: “The situation is abysmal.

"I have access to the government gateway and online portal for booking driving tests and it’s a four-month wait in Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds is about the same.

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“Pupils have to go to other driving test centres, which in itself causes a problem.”

As a specialist working with people living with high end anxiety and special educational needs, Mr Cole – who has worked as a driving therapist for 18 years – said the backlog is affecting pupils who need specific support in the run-up to their tests.

“For people who are anxious, it makes the situation worse – it’s normal to be nervous on the day, but if you are going in with an anxiety disorder, the lengthy wait makes it even more challenging.

“I try to keep pupils calm and prepared, and help them overcome the fears they have, but getting them booked into a test centre quickly is nearly impossible.”

The DVSA said that it had since cut down waiting times, with 23 per cent of test centres now having a wait of 24 weeks, and a further 23 per cent within the target of six weeks as of November.