Help could soon be on the way for would-be motorists enduring long waits to book driving tests.

Transport Control Department Director Kevin Monkman said he had put in for extra staff to cut the four-month backlog.

He admitted the problem had got worse since the summer with people currently having to wait until the end of April to get a test.

He said: "It's worse than it was when I first started."

Mr. Monkman said demand usually surged in the summer when students returned and wanted to learn how to drive cars but demand had not evened out since.

Expatriate workers also pushed up demand said Mr. Monkman.

Last year 2,956 people took tests for four-wheel vehicles and 1,836 people took two-wheeler tests.

Mr. Monkman said there were only five examiners covering the 60 slots every week instead of the usual six.

He said he had requested the Government Personnel Department approve bringing in another permanent instructor as well as a temporary instructor to act as extra cover for the next three years - bringing the staff complement up to seven.

He said: "I am hoping to get an answer this month."

Driving instructor firms have also had their guaranteed tests slots slashed to just one a week to free up space for general bookings but Mr. Monkman said the vast bulk of bookings still came through the instructor firms.

One driving instructor, who wished to remain anonymous, contacted The Royal Gazette to express his frustration about the long waits.

He said: "It's really becoming obnoxious. People are waiting for four months."

Waits for annual vehicle checks were within reason said Mr. Monkman with car owners waiting until the middle of February for inspections while bike owners were free to come at any time but they could also book appointments.