Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many theory test certificates have expired before a learner was able to sit a practical driving test in the South East since 2020.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is not able estimate the number of theory test certificates that have expired due to learners being unable to sit a practical driving test in the Southeast. Some learners who pass their theory test might decide, due to various reasons, not to book or take their practical driving test.

DVSA is doing everything it can to ensure that learners can access practical tests within the theory test validity period, to prevent candidates from having to retake the theory test.

The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.

Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.