DUNFERMLINE MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville has urged the DVSA to make more effort to clear the significant backlog facing West Fifers waiting for their driving test.

The coronavirus lockdown has led to a huge wait for learner drivers who have had tests cancelled when restrictions meant lessons or assessments were unable to take place.

After constituents got in touch to express their frustration at not being able to find a test slot for several months, Ms Somerville has written to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) asking for answers.

She has requested an update on the organisation's plans to recruit more instructors and asked that Dunfermline's test centre becomes full-time.

"The pandemic caused many driving tests to be cancelled or delayed and I understand this has caused a backlog for the DVSA to sort out," she said.

"However, the situation in Dunfermline and West Fife requires immediate attention with people being left waiting far too long for their tests or else being asked to travel across the country.

"I've been told previously by the DVSA that they have launched a recruitment campaign for new instructors but we are yet to see this making any difference locally.

"Many jobs require candidates to hold a driving licence and these delays are affecting their ability to earn a living. This is a matter that is reserved to the UK Government and I sincerely hope they are treating this with the urgency that it deserves."

Back in March, the issue of long waits for learner drivers was raised by Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alex Rowley, who expressed concern at the number of people waiting for both practical and theory assessments whose progress has been delayed because of current restrictions.

He said he had heard from some fed-up constituents who had been forced to travel as far as Carlisle or Aberdeen to sit the theory test and called for more to be done to increase capacity.

A DVSA spokesperson said they are doing all they can to provide enough tests so services can return to normal as soon as possible.

"This includes conducting more exams out of hours at weekends and public holidays, recruiting new examiners and inviting recently retired examiners to return to take tests," said the spokesperson.

“As well as this, we are encouraging learners to only take their test when they are confident they can pass. This will help them to avoid a lengthy wait for a retest and help us by not adding to the backlog.”

Measures introduced to help clear the lengthy waiting lists include offering overtime and annual leave buy back to examiners and asking all those qualified to conduct test to return to conducting tests

Recently retired examiners have also been invited back to conduct tests while out of hours testing - such as at weekends and on public holidays - are also taking place.