In spite of patchy improvement in a few areas of the UK, driver training experts BSM have seen little overall reduction in the excessive waiting times for driving tests which they first highlighted in February this year. The company - the UK's biggest driving school - is again calling for urgent action to tackle the problem.

The Driving Standards Agency's national target is an average six weeks wait for a driving test but that target is currently nowhere near being met.

The most recent official figures, compiled at the end of April 2004, show an average UK waiting time of 9.9 weeks - a massive 65% over target - with Londoners suffering the worst with an average wait of 13.6 weeks. Scottish applicants come off best with a 4.7 weeks wait.

BSM's own findings, based on driving test bookings made at its 109 high street centres across the UK, confirm the generally gloomy picture.

"The DSA voluntarily surrendered its Charter Mark last year because its performance was nowhere near up to scratch - and the service it offers learners is still disappointingly poor", says BSM managing director Paul Atkinson.

"The situation in many parts of the UK remains a disgrace, with candidates unable to expect a date earlier than three or four months ahead.

"But many learner drivers desperately need to pass their tests to take up a new job, to go to university or college, or for a dozen other very practical reasons.

"The DSA's failure to meet its own targets is putting those people's lives on hold."