“Driving Test System is Broken and Exploiting Learners,” says Councillor Dr Zahid Chauhan OBE

An Oldham councillor has demanded urgent government action to fix the DVLA driving test booking system, warning that private agencies are “cashing in on learners” and leaving families hundreds of pounds out of pocket.

Residents have told Councillor Dr Zahid Chauhan that while ordinary people cannot find test dates, third-party companies are securing slots and reselling them online at massively inflated prices. 

“One young resident told me they had to fork out more than £400 a time on four separate bookings for a test that should cost just £62,” said Dr Chauhan. “That’s daylight robbery and it’s happening to learners up and down the country.” 

Dr Chauhan warned that the current system has created “a two-tier market where those who can pay sky-high fees get ahead and everyone else is left waiting.” 

In a letter to Lilian Greenwood MP, Minister for the Future of Roads, Dr Chauhan called for an urgent overhaul of the DVLA system, demanding: 

● A review and overhaul of the current booking system to prevent exploitation by third-party agencies. 

● Streamlining of the process so that individuals can access test dates fairly and efficiently. 

● Greater transparency to ensure the system is trusted and equitable. 

● Ongoing monitoring and safeguards to prevent agencies from monopolising test slots in the future. 

“Learning to drive is not a luxury, it’s a necessity for young people, workers and families who need access to jobs, education and essential services,” Dr Chauhan added. “This broken system is punishing people unfairly and it must be fixed now.” 

Dr Chauhan has a long record of public service as a longstanding councillor in Oldham, where he served as Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, Deputy Mayor and Mayor (May 2023 – May 2025). In May 2025, he was admitted as an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Oldham in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the community.

He is a charity founder and community leader dedicated to tackling inequalities. Dr Chauhan is also the founder of the Homeless Friendly charity, which makes healthcare more accessible for people experiencing homelessness and was awarded an OBE for this work.