DGT Examiner Shortage 2025: 3,000 Driving Tests Lost Daily as Licensing Crisis Deepens in Spain

Ingtroduction to DGT Examiner Shortage 2025

Spain is grappling with a growing driving test crisis, as the DGT examiner shortage continues to impact thousands of aspiring drivers. With a severe shortage of examiners in DGT, the number of daily practical driving exams in Spain 2025 has dropped drastically, leading to a major DGT practical test delay. According to the latest DGT driving test news 2025, over 3,000 fewer tests are being conducted daily compared to previous years.

This reduction has triggered mass DGT exam cancellations today, longer DGT appointment delays, and widespread frustration among candidates. The CNAE DGT demand for more examiners has grown louder, urging immediate action to address the examiner availability DGT Spain issue. Meanwhile, students are left waiting indefinitely, checking dgt.es practical exam updates and attempting to figure out how to reschedule DGT test dates through the DGT sede electrónica portal.

Many are still unaware of why DGT exams are delayed or what to do if their test gets cancelled or postponed. The delays are affecting the DGT driving test schedule, creating uncertainty around the DGT test reschedule process. Aspiring drivers are also reporting difficulties with dgt.es cita previa exam bookings, further compounding the issue.

As the DGT driving test crisis deepens, more people are experiencing Spanish driving license delay, struggling to complete their testing within the expected timeframe. With thousands affected by DGT practical driving test problems, the call for systematic reform and adequate staffing is more urgent than ever.

A System Under Strain

Fifteen years ago, the landscape looked very different. Examiners were conducting up to 16 practical driving tests per day. In 2025, this number has been reduced to 12 tests per day due to efforts to improve working conditions and incorporate higher quality assessment standards. While this may seem reasonable in isolation, the combined effect of a growing population and stagnant staffing levels has reduced the system’s operational capacity by nearly 29% since 2011.

Population Growth Meets Testing Decline

Spain’s population has increased from 46.6 million in 2016 to more than 49 million in 2025. This demographic change has placed immense pressure on the practical driving test infrastructure. At the same time, the number of active examiners has hovered at around 855, a figure that remains significantly below the estimated requirement of 1,260 examiners.

This mismatch between demand and capacity has led to a loss of nearly 3,000 practical exams per day. For applicants, the result is an exhausting and unpredictable journey to obtaining a driver’s license. Wait times have increased drastically, with some driving schools reporting that students are forced to wait several months before they can retake a failed test or schedule their first attempt.

High Stakes for Driving Schools and Rural Spain

Summer is traditionally a peak season for Spain’s driving schools, especially in rural regions. Many students return to their hometowns during university breaks and aim to complete their driving tests. Unfortunately, this seasonal surge coincides with examiner vacations, further reducing the already limited testing capacity.

Driving schools, especially those in smaller towns, depend on the summer rush to remain financially sustainable throughout the year. With examiner shortages becoming worse each year, many schools are facing significant losses.

Demand Surge from Latin American Drivers

Another factor adding pressure to the DGT’s already overwhelmed system is the influx of professional drivers from Latin America. Many of these drivers must validate their licenses through Spain’s testing system. This has added an estimated 8,000 more candidates each month, increasing the backlog and straining examiner resources even further.

CNAE Leads the Call for Reform

The National Confederation of Driving Schools (CNAE) has launched a petition through Change.org urging the Spanish government to fill vacant examiner positions immediately. CNAE President Enrique Lorca emphasizes that this is a structural issue, not merely a seasonal one. According to him, driving schools and learners are being failed by a system that has not evolved to meet the growing needs of the population.

Lorca stated, “Once again this year, the summer driving season is threatened in many provinces by a shortage of examiners. Positions have been unfilled for a long time, waiting times are skyrocketing, and the people who suffer are always the same: applicants, driving schools, and, ultimately, society as a whole.”

A Look at the Numbers of DGT Examiner Shortage 2025

The decline in capacity is stark and illustrates how staffing levels have failed to keep pace with demand. To return to 2011 service levels adjusted for 2025 population and demand, the DGT would need to hire at least 400 more examiners.

Consequences Beyond Delays(DGT Examiner Shortage 2025)

The delays have broader implications. Young adults are losing job opportunities because they can’t obtain licenses in time. Small businesses dependent on delivery or transport services are facing bottlenecks in hiring. And overall public safety could be compromised as frustrated applicants may resort to unlicensed driving.

There’s also the issue of test quality. With fewer tests being conducted, and each examiner managing high-stress environments, there’s concern that practical assessments may become either too lenient or too strict, depending on the examiner’s fatigue level and workload.

Public Frustration and Institutional Silence

Driving schools and applicants alike have voiced frustration on social media and through complaints to local offices. Despite the pressure, the response from the Administration has been limited. While acknowledging the increase in examiner numbers since 2012, officials have yet to propose a long-term staffing strategy that addresses the consistent year-over-year shortfall.

How to Check Exam Status(DGT Examiner Shortage 2025)

Candidates looking to check their test schedule can visit the official DGT booking portal. Students are advised to stay in touch with their local driving school coordinators for last-minute updates.

For accurate updates, candidates should refer to:

• The official DGT website: dgt.es
• CNAE official updates at cnae.com

The Way Forward (DGT Examiner Shortage 2025)

The DGT must treat this issue as a national priority. A permanent increase in examiner staffing, better scheduling strategies during high-demand months, and streamlined validation for foreign drivers are critical steps.

Beyond just restoring previous capacity, the goal should be to build a flexible, scalable examination system that can meet both seasonal and structural demands without compromising quality.

Final Thoughts about DGT Examiner Shortage

A driver’s license is not a luxury—it is a necessity for millions of people across Spain. The current situation is unsustainable and unfair. Citizens deserve a transparent, timely, and efficient testing process that reflects the realities of a modern, mobile society.

If the government fails to act now, the consequences will ripple far beyond longer wait times. From missed job opportunities to compromised road safety, the cost of inaction is far too high.