DVSA to make 7 changes set to impact learner drivers in weeks

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has unveiled a strategy to slash the waiting times for driving tests. The comprehensive seven-point plan is designed to overhaul the test booking system, with the aim of protecting learner drivers from being overcharged.

To hit their target, the agency plans to hire and train a cohort of 450 new driving examiners nationwide. As per the information on , the DVSA’s recruitment drive is in full swing, with trainees set to start conducting driving assessments in the upcoming months.

What is the DVSA’s seven-point plan?

As well as recruiting the 450 new examiners, the DVSA has set out the following in its plan.

Booking test system

In addition to training drivers, the DVSA will review and improve the driving test booking system to ensure learners can book it stress-free.

To do this, DVSA will follow these steps:

1. Launch a call for evidence about the current rules and processes, which DVSA has done today (18 December 2024).

2. Analyse the evidence and develop proposals to improve the rules and booking system.

3. Run a consultation on the proposed improved rules.

4. Introduce the improved rules – changing the law if necessary.

Booking tests for pupils

As well as this, its third step in the plan is to “introduce a set of tougher terms and conditions for the service driving instructors use to book and manage driving tests for their pupils”. Set to take effect on January 6 next year, these new regulations stipulate that only certified driving instructors or the businesses employing them are authorised to reserve car driving tests.

The DVSA says: “The new terms and conditions make it clear that driving instructors and businesses must not book driving tests on behalf of learner drivers they are not teaching. They also stop driving instructors and businesses from using a learner driver’s details to book a driving test that they have no intention of that particular learner driver using. This is sometimes done to create a placeholder so the test can be swapped to another learner driver later.

If anyone breaks the terms and conditions, DVSA can:

• issue them with a warning notice
• suspend their account
• close their account

Waiting times between tests

The DVLA will run a consultation on new proposals to increase the time people need to wait to book another test if they either:

• make multiple serious or dangerous faults during their driving test
• physically or verbally assault their driving examiner
• fail to attend their driving test without telling DVSA – and consider charging them a penalty

“Learner drivers currently have to wait 10 working days before being able to book another test. The consultation, which will launch at a later date, will set out the full details of the potential options”, they add.

Increase notice period to cancel a test

In their firth point, they are set to increase the amount of notice people need to give to change or cancel their car driving test without losing their fee to 10 clear working days with it currently set at 3 clear working days. Whilst the exact date has not been confirmed, they hope to introduce this from spring 2025.

This change will:

• encourage people to change or cancel their test sooner if they’re not ready
• give more chance for appointments to be used by someone else

They say: “Learner drivers will still be able to apply for a refund in cases such as illness or bereavement. DVSA will continue to pay out-of-pocket expenses for any car driving tests it cancels with fewer than 3 clear working days’ notice while it conducts a review of its out-of-pocket expenses process.”

Change how far in advance you can book a test

DVSA will look into how they can change how far ahead car driving tests can be booked with it currently set at 24 weeks.

Encourage learner drivers to be prepared

“DVSA will continue to run its ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign, which 95% of users rate as useful, to encourage learner drivers to take the right action to prepare for their driving test”, the experts say.

“Research from DVSA shows that about 23% of learner drivers take their first attempt at the driving test within one month of starting driving lessons. The campaign aims to change this behaviour, and focuses on helping learner drivers to:

• understand what skills they need to have mastered
• prepare for their test by giving tips on managing nerves
• take a realistic mock driving test
• understand what will happen during their driving test
• encourages people who are not ready to pass to move their test back

“The actions being taken will help DVSA to provide 1.95 million car driving tests between April 2024 and March 2025 and to reduce the waiting time to 7 weeks by December 2025. Both of these targets have been confirmed in the .”

Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads, said: “Passing your driving test is a life-changing opportunity for millions – but sky-high waiting times for tests in recent years have denied that opportunity to too many people.

“No one should have to wait 6 months when they’re ready to pass, travel to the other side of the country to take a driving test or be ripped off by unscrupulous websites just because they can’t afford to wait.

“The scale of the backlog we have inherited is huge, but today’s measures are a crucial step to tackle the long driving test wait times, protect learner drivers from being exploited, and support more people to hit the road.”