Changes come into force today
The history of the driving test
Millions of Brits face major changes as of today.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has introduced a new rule limiting how far motorists can move practical driving test bookings, in the latest attempt to tackle abuse of the system and free up slots for genuine learners. From today, drivers can only switch their test to one of the three nearest test centres to where their appointment is currently booked. Announcing the change, the DVSA said: “Changes to the driving test booking rules come into force today.
“You can only move your test to one of the 3 nearest centres to where it’s currently booked. That’s all 3 promised changes delivered.”
The new restriction is the final stage of a package of reforms designed to tackle long waiting times and prevent bots, cancellation-finding apps and third-party operators from hoarding appointments.
Learner drivers across Britain continue to face lengthy waits for practical tests, with many centres booked up months in advance as the DVSA battles to clear a backlog that built up during and after the pandemic.
The new restriction is the final stage of a package of reforms (Image: Getty)
The agency has repeatedly warned that unofficial booking services and resellers have been exploiting the system by snapping up test appointments and selling them on to desperate learners.
Under the new rules, motorists are being urged to book a test only at a centre they genuinely intend to use because they will no longer be able to move appointments freely around the country.
The latest change follows two other major rule changes introduced earlier this year. Since March 31, learners have only been allowed to make two changes to a booking, down from a previous limit of six.
And since May 12, only learner drivers themselves have been allowed to book and manage driving tests. Driving instructors can no longer make bookings, changes, cancellations or swaps on behalf of pupils.
The DVSA has also banned the use of unofficial services that scan the booking system for cancellations and earlier appointments.
It warns that anyone found breaking the terms and conditions could have their online access suspended or even have their booking cancelled.
The agency said learners must now confirm they are the person taking the test and agree to a set of terms and conditions when making a booking.
“It’s against the law to book a driving test for someone else,” the DVSA said.
Officials hope the reforms will make the booking system fairer and improve access to tests for genuine learners struggling to secure appointments.
Under the new rules, a learner who books a test in Chesterfield, for example, can only move it to one of the three nearest centres – Sheffield (Handsworth), Ashfield or Sheffield (Middlewood Road).
If they then move the booking to Sheffield (Handsworth), their final permitted change can only be made to one of the three nearest centres to that location, or back to the original test centre. The changes apply to England, Scotland and Wales and affect car driving tests only.