New figures show the average time new drivers have to wait for a driving test in the South West.

New statistics from the Taxpayers Alliance show people learning to drive have to wait an average of four weeks in the UK for a driving test.

In the South West, across 23 driving test centres the wait time is much higher than the national average, with South West drivers having to wait 20 weeks.

Campaigners are calling on the new government to bring an end to the "postcode lottery" of learning to drive

Data from 324 driving test centres from across Great Britain has found that 112 driving test centres (DTC) have an average waiting time of 24 weeks, or almost six months.

It’s also been revealed that there is a significant gulf between driving instructors and the population in a given postcode in England.

The total number of ADIs is at its highest since 2015, however ADIs are not allowed to act as examiners of driving tests and can instead only conduct driving lessons.

112 driving test centres (DTCs) have a wait time of 24 weeks, out of a total of 324 DTCs.

Only 57 DTCs have a wait time of under 10 weeks

The region with the most DTCs is Scotland, with 79; the region with the fewest is the North East, with 12

The gulf between driving instructors and populations in a given postcode are large with areas of similar population having markedly different amounts of approved driving instructors. Driving instructors are not allowed to examine tests and can only conduct lessons.

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Taxpayers are being driven up the wall by the time it takes to get a driving test.

“Aspiring drivers up and down the country are facing waits of months, potentially delaying or denying opportunities for employment and causing massive inconveniences to those eager to get behind a wheel.

“The government needs to end the postcode lottery of driving and end the backlog”.

In the South West, across 23 driving test centres the wait time is an average of 20 weeks.

Data from 324 driving test centres from across Great Britain (not including Northern Ireland) has found that 112 driving test centres (DTC) have an average waiting time of 24 weeks, or almost six months.

London is the worst region in the UK for waiting times, with average wait times of 23 weeks across the 32 driving centres.

The West Midlands and the South West both have average waiting times of 20 weeks.

The lowest average waiting times can be found in Wales, where aspiring drivers face an average wait of 12 weeks. Only 57 driving test centres have an average wait time of under ten weeks.