Learner drivers ready to sit their driving test could now face a longer wait to get behind the wheel after examiners announced a series of strikes.

Test slots have been in high demand since the end of pandemic restrictions when a backlog of learners wanting to sit their test - combined with a shortage of available slots - led to long delays for an appointment.

But driving test centres across the UK face more disruption both this month and next after the Public and Commercial Services union, which represents examiners alongside workers in numerous other government departments, announced its own plans for industrial action.

These are taking place on select dates between Tuesday, December 13 and Tuesday, January 10 next year.

The walkouts form part of nationwide action by the PCS union as part of a dispute over pay, pensions, jobs and redundancy terms involving thousands of its members.

Alongside car driving tests, motorcycle tests, lorry, bus, coach and minibus vocational tests, tractor or specialist driving tests and approved driving instructor tests could all be affected by the strikes depending on the numbers of examiners which join the walk-outs.

No theory test appointments will be impacted and those sitting a practical test with a private provider should also see their appointments go ahead.

In Kent, strikes involving the county's driving examiners are scheduled to happen, says the DVSA, from Wednesday, January 4 until Tuesday, January 10 when staff in London, parts of the south east, south west and Wales will all walk out.

The following test centres in and around the county will be affected:

* Ashford

* Bromley

* Canterbury

* Gillingham

* Herne Bay

* Maidstone

* Sevenoaks

* Sidcup

* Tunbridge Wells

To cancel your test in advance you must give three days' notice or you will lose the money you paid.

Not all driving test examiners at all the centres are taking part. On the day of your test you should turn up as originally instructed. If the test can't go ahead, DVSA will rebook it for you at no cost. You will also be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses.

The country is said to be facing a 'winter of discontent' as a result of hundreds of thousands of workers planning or voting for industrial action on a vast scale.

Driving examiners join nurses, railway workers, university staff, train company staff, baggage handlers, bus drivers, paramedics, 999 call handlers and postal workers up and down the country in announcing strikes while the fire brigade and teaching unions are also threatening to ballot members over action if disputes over pay and working conditions remain unresolved.