Learner drivers are facing a series of changes in a shake-up of driving test rules. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is seeking to cut waiting times for people wanting to sit their test and get on the roads.
Times lengthened as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and now would-be motorists are facing a wait of almost five months to sit their test. The DVSA has announced it will recruit 450 new driving examiners making more test slots available.
But under the new rules there will also be changes to the way driving instructors book tests and with how they are cancelled. Announcing the plans Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads, said: “A driving licence is a passport to employment, opportunities and better living standards for hundreds of thousands of people each year.
“Across the country, waiting times for a car practical driving test are at 13 weeks in Wales, over 15 weeks in Scotland and nearly 21 weeks in England. These figures highlight a system under strain.
“The proportion of 17 to 20-year-olds with a full driving licence dropped from 35% in 2019 to 29% in 2023. This matters because 1 in 6 jobs requires a driving licence. The top occupations for young drivers include roles critical to our public services and economic growth: healthcare workers, construction trades and transport workers.
“Learner drivers should be able to take a test when they are ready to pass. Yet thousands have had to wait many months for a test, with some being exploited by businesses taking advantage of long waiting times or having to travel hundreds of miles in the process.”
However she warned: “These measures are practical, targeted and designed to address the issues facing the driving test system. But I have to be clear: there is no quick fix to the current situation.
“It will take time for us to tackle the root causes of this issue, fix the broken system this government inherited and build a robust system for the future.” The DVSA provided more than 2m tests between April 2023 and March 2024 with a further 500,000 booked for the next 24 weeks.
But it says the need for action is “undeniable”, with changes ahead for key areas. Here’s the main changes and plans for 2025:
Cancellations
The DVSA has announced there will be changes to how a test is cancelled. Under the new rules people will have to give at least 10 days notice to cancel their test without losing money compared with the current three days.
They says the move will minimise last-minute disruptions. It will also ensure that cancelled slots can be reallocated to those ready to take their test.
Booking tests
The DVSA has said it will “review and improve” rules around booking tests. including measures to ban the resale of driving test appointments. This aims to ensure fairer access to test slots and stop the “profiteering that disadvantages learners”.
It is also strengthening terms and conditions for driver training businesses managing test bookings. This will improve the efficiency of the booking system, making it harder for those looking to exploit learner drivers to secure test dates.
The Agency is looking into allowing learner drivers to book tests further in advance than the current 24-week limit. This will give learners more certainty in planning their preparation and reduce the stress of finding available slots.
Rebooking future tests
The DVSA has said it will consult on introducing longer waiting times to rebook a test for candidates who fail by:
- making multiple serious or dangerous faults
- abusing driving examiners
- failing to attend their test
It will consider a penalty fee for those who fail to attend. It said: “This will discourage bad behaviour and ensure that examiners’ time is respected.”
Ready to Pass?
The DVSA will expand the successful Ready to Pass? campaign to help learners throughout the whole process of learning to drive. This will increase the likelihood of learners passing their test the first time, reducing overall demand on the system.