Dave Price Driving School Worcester

14/10/2026

14/10/2026

We're committed to being open about driving test waiting times, including the progress we're making and the challenges we face.

In September:

📉 The national average waiting time was 19.7 weeks, the lowest it’s been since November 2024

📅 The number of driving examiners remained at its highest since 2017

📈 We conducted 191,682 tests, the highest for any September on record

✅ The pass rate remained above 50% for the 10th consecutive month

While these are encouraging signs, we know there’s more to be done. Waiting times vary across the country and, in some areas, they remain much higher than the national average.

We won’t stop until every learner can get a test slot when they need one. 💪

13/10/2026

Don't miss your chance to make a real difference to road safety in Great Britain. You can still apply to become a driving examiner in the following areas:

📍 Aberdeen
📍 Atherton
📍 Banbury
📍 Cambridge
📍 Cheltenham
📍 Coventry
📍 Edinburgh
📍 Isleworth
📍 Leeds
📍 Luton
📍 Middlesbrough
📍 Mitcham
📍 Morden
📍 Oxford
📍 Slough
📍 Stoke-on-Trent
📍 Warrington

Find out more about the role and apply before 18 October 2026: www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi?jcode=2015976.

Can’t see a location near you? Keep an eye out, we’ll be advertising opportunities in more locations soon 📆

13/10/2026

🚨 The provisional cause of death for three teenagers, 17-year-old Jackson Duke, along with 16-year-olds Luke Etheridge and Zara Shaw (pictured), whose Audi A3 plunged into the River Wear was consistent with drowning, separate inquests have heard.

Emergency services were called to the Panns Bank area of Sunderland on the afternoon of September 29 after receiving reports that four people in a vehicle had entered the river.

One 17-year-old boy managed to self-extricate from the vehicle and reach safety.

Tragically, Jackson, Luke, and Zara could not get out and were later located inside the submerged Audi A3 by police divers.

Jackson and Luke were from Sunderland, while Zara lived in nearby Houghton-le-Spring.

All three teenagers studied together at Sunderland College.

A 17-year-old boy who survived the crash was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Northumbria Police are continuing an ongoing investigation into the full circumstances surrounding the crash.

During the first hearing, senior coroner David Place confirmed that post-mortem examinations indicated the provisional cause of death for all three teenagers was "likely to be consistent with drowning".

Mr Place expressed his deep sympathies to the families during the proceedings.

"It is a tragic loss for the whole city," Mr Place said.

Fans and players paid tribute to the three students at Sunderland's Premier League match against Brighton on Saturday.

Players stood around the centre circle for a minute's applause while the team wore black armbands throughout the match.

The coroner has adjourned the inquest hearings until January 21 next year.


📸 Northumbria Police