Driving instructors and their pupils are hoping a new recruitment campaign for examiners will help slash the waiting time for a driving test in High Wycombe.

For several years they have been unhappy with the situation at Wycombe Driving Test Centre - where the number of examiners has dwindled from five to just two since 2017.

And lately the backlog has ballooned due to coronavirus restrictions, causing driving tests to be suspended for prolonged periods.

This week the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency launched a national campaign to recruit temporary examiners to help tackle the unprecedented demand for tests in certain areas - including at the Slough/High Wycombe division.

Learner driver Danica Shah, from Widmer End, had to wait three months for her appointment after booking a driving test at High Wycombe in December.

Unfortunately, she failed and was forced to book her second test at Aylesbury because Wycombe was fully booked.

She was due to take the resit in January but the DVSA rescheduled it to June due to coronavirus restrictions.

She moved the appointment forward to March when a cancellation slot came up at Slough but is expecting it to be rescheduled again.

She said: “I really hope they get more examiners at Wycombe because having a waiting list that is months and months long puts extra pressure on test candidates. And of course I would much rather be taking my test in Wycombe where I took my lessons, rather than in Slough.”

Danica was unable to book her second test at Wycombe Driving Test Centre because it was due to close on March 12 when its lease expired.

However, the DVSA did a U-turn last week following a successful campaign by local instructors.

In response to questions by MP Steve Baker, an announcement was made in Parliament that it will operate from a different unit at Cressex Business Park once planning permission has been granted by Buckinghamshire Council.

Danica said: “That is very good news but they still need to get more examiners, otherwise there will still be a huge waiting time for tests.”

The temporary examiner jobs, at £26kpa, are available for anyone aged at least 23, who has been driving for over three years and has no more than three points on their licence. You can apply here: http://bit.ly/HWDTC