New Regulations for Driving Test Bookings in the UK

London, England — The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced a significant policy change regarding how driving tests are booked in the UK. This change, which affects both instructors and learner drivers, aims to address the growing backlog of driving tests.

Currently, driving instructors have the ability to book tests for their students, but this practice will soon be prohibited. The DVSA indicated that there will also be restrictions on the number of times a driver can reschedule their test and the geographical areas in which they can move their appointment.

Amelia Lightfoot, a 20-year-old learner driver from Devon, shared her frustration with the existing booking system. After diligently checking the DVSA website daily for over a month, she managed to secure a test date only to discover it was six months away. Following a failed attempt, Lightfoot faces the daunting challenge of booking another test, expressing that obtaining a driving license is crucial to enhancing her quality of life.

In response to the growing backlog, the DVSA plans to integrate 36 examiners from the Ministry of Defence into its staff. These examiners are civil servants, not military personnel. Despite recruiting 316 new examiners, net additions to the workforce have only reached 40 due to personnel departures. To retain existing examiners, a retention bonus of £5,000 will be offered starting next year.

Ruth Cadbury MP, chair of the Transport Committee, voiced concern over the slow pace of improvements to the test booking system. Criticizing the timeline for changes as “glacial,” she doubts that the DVSA will meet its target for enhancements by summer 2026 and has committed to seeking timely updates from the Department for Transport.