Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the availability of theory driving tests in rural areas.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) network of theory test centres is designed to ensure that candidates across Great Britain are within 40 mins (urban) or 40 miles (rural) of a theory test centre.

In 2021 the new theory test service increased the number of Great Britain test centres from 180 to 203. As a result, 100% of the population, are now within 40 mins (urban) or 40 miles (rural) of a test centre, compared to 97% previously. This means DVSA has equitable service provision across Great Britain and has made significant improvements to that provision in remote areas.

DVSA carefully monitors test availability with its suppliers to continually review demand and increase capacity where possible and necessary.