Inside the WhatsApp group where people are being exploited – but it’s not illegal

“If you fail, you know you’re going to have to keep paying” “It was double the cost. They know how desperate people are, don’t they?” For learner drivers eager to pass their practical tests, managing to nab an appointment feels like an ever-growing headache. But dodgy driving test sellers are now ‘exploiting’ learner drivers and flogging appointments for more than double their usual price amid the country-wide backlog, the Manchester Evening News has found. In May, the UK’s driving test backlog reached a new high, with 631,472 future practical driving tests booked as of the end of the month, according to official Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) figures. Analysis by the AA Driving School showed the average waiting time was 20 weeks in February. Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here The average waiting time for a car practical driving test for the UK as of the end of June 2025 is 22.3 weeks. Car practical test waiting times remain high due to ‘sustained increased demand’ and ‘reduced learner driver confidence’ in the availability of driving tests, the DVSA said. This has contributed to a
Read More