Oxfordshire motorists are facing long delays before taking their driving tests because of a shortage of examiners.

Learner drivers have been told that the next available test dates are not until January 2004 -- a 16-week wait.

The target set by the Driving Standards Agency, the organisation responsible for theory and practical tests, is six weeks.

Figures released by the DSA yesterday reveal the minimum waiting time is 10 weeks in Oxford and 11 weeks in Banbury. Some Oxfordshire learners have been told to wait until the New Year.

Others are taking their tests at centres outside the county, according to Oxford driving schools.

Driving instructors have also said the delays have had a knock-on effect on business, reducing demand for lessons and intensive courses.

Pamela Matthews, spokesman for the DSA, said an increase in demand for tests in Oxford and surrounding areas, and a shortage of examiners had led to the problem.

Linda Beauchamp, 39, said the DSA told her that her son Karl, 17, would have to wait 18 weeks before he could retake his test.

Mrs Beauchamp, of Marlborough Avenue, Kidlington, said: "Karl's instructor told him to re-book it straight away, but when I looked on the DSA website it said there was a waiting period of eight weeks.

"When I phoned the booking line for a test at the Oxford centre I was told the next available date was January 15. It just seems ridiculous.

"The only answer I have been given is that the DSA are trying to recruit more examiners. Surely in a place like Oxford they should have more anyway."

Kate Corti, manager of the British School of Motoring, in Park End Street, Oxford, said the delays meant learner drivers are taking their tests in centres outside Oxfordshire.

She said: "If you need to drive for work then you may not have the time to wait four or five months before you can take your test."

Mrs Corti said the delays had also reduced demand for intensive driving courses.

She said: "It is putting a lot of people off. There is no point in doing a week-long intensive course and then waiting five months

to take a test. It means we are losing customers as people don't want to come back until nearer their test date, even though they are ready now.

"It is also affecting the amount of work the driving instructors have.

"To be fair to the DSA they have put on an extra instructor recently and we now have one week in November where some tests are available. But they will be snapped up straight away and then people will have to wait until January next year."

She said: "We are aware we are not achieving our service standard target in this area. But we are keen to meet the needs of our customers and we are making every effort to put the situation right."

Mrs Matthews said the DSA was recruiting new examiners as well as deploying experienced examiners from other centres to reduce waiting times.

She added: "We recognise that waiting times are an important issue for our customers at the moment, particularly for those who do not pass the test and then have to wait some time before they can be re-tested.

"We do, however, have candidates who cancel their tests at short notice, so there is frequently limited availability at centres despite the higher general waiting times."

Andrew Usher, of the Andrew Usher Driving School, at Oxford Business Park North, said: "You have to wait a bit longer in the summer and a bit less at Christmas time to get a date. It hasn't put anyone off, people are still coming in and booking lessons."

The DSA said there was no delay for lorries and large good vehicles driving tests.