Wales is in the driving seat if you are a learner and want a quick test.
While many UK learners are facing long waits and rising costs due to driving test delays, Wales stands out as the least affected region. Some areas, like Pembrokeshire, have average waits of less than a month, meaning learners can stay test-ready without piling on extra lessons or losing income.
To see where drivers are paying the least, EzLicence analysed wait times, lesson prices, and first-time pass rates across the UK. The data shows that Pembrokeshire ranks as the UK’s least impacted area, with minimal hidden costs from delays.
Pembrokeshire learners face the lowest costs from driving test delays in the UK, with an average wait of just 4 weeks and extra lessons costing £66–£165 for one to four lessons a month.
Other Welsh areas, including Denbighshire, Ceredigion, and Gwynedd, also rank among the least affected, with short waits and lower lesson prices keeping costs under £455 for four lessons a month.
Scottish regions such as East Ayrshire and the Shetland Islands are similarly less impacted, highlighting that Wales and northern parts of the UK are the cheapest for learners to stay test-ready.
Further findings
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Wales is the cheapest region in the UK to learn to drive, with the lowest average lesson cost (£33.77) and a total estimated cost of £1,666 to complete driving lessons.
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Wales offers some of the lowest costs for learners needing to rebook a failed test, with Pembrokeshire (£97–£173 for one to four extra lessons) and Denbighshire, Gwynedd, and Monmouthshire all ranking in the UK’s top 10 lowest-cost areas for rebooking amid delays.
Joe Parry, Head of UK at EzLicence, said, “In many parts of the UK, doing things ‘by the book’ now adds £1,000–£2,000 to the cost of learning to drive. Long test waits mean more lessons to stay test-ready, repeated rebookings, and time off work, all quietly inflating the price of getting a licence.
“When learners can buy a test illicitly for £250–£500 but potentially save far more than that by avoiding months of delays, it’s no surprise some are being pushed towards risky black market test bookings. Until then, it’s learners who are left paying the price.”
Tips to manage delays and costs:
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Book strategically: Secure a slot when you’re test-ready; check with your instructor for timing.
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Monitor cancellations: Early openings pop up; act fast and avoid costly third-party services.
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Plan lessons wisely: Space out practice to maintain skills without overspending, adding focused sessions near the test.
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Consider timing & costs: Weekday tests are cheaper than evenings/weekends (£62 vs £75).
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Factor in lost income: Tests typically take around three hours, including travel and paperwork.
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Keep a contingency fund: Budget for extra lessons or rebookings if delays stretch out.
