DVSA Update on driving test bookings

Outcome of the consultation

As part of her update to the TSC, the Secretary of State announced the outcome of the consultation to make the driving test booking service fairer.

Below is more detail about the options being taken forward:

Option 1A: only allowing learner drivers to book and manage their own test

70.7% of respondents agreed with this option. This change will stop unofficial businesses providing third-party services from reselling tests, preventing additional test costs and unfair practices for your pupils.

Option 2B: limiting the number of times a test can be swapped or changed, this limit will be set at 2

50.8% of driving instructors that responded agreed with this option. Alongside limiting the number of times a test can be swapped or changed, we will also be limiting the area a test can be moved to once booked.

This will stop tests being booked in quieter areas to then move it to a test centre with higher demand. This will allow local learner drivers in quieter areas to have better access to tests at their preferred centre.

Making these changes together will give greater control to the learner driver, removing the ability for third parties to buy and sell on tests in higher demand locations – making booking a practical car driving test fairer for your pupils.

We have contacted your pupils with a car theory test or practical car test booking to let them know about the upcoming changes.

Next Steps

We are finalising the full consultation summary of responses and will publish this on GOV.UK.

These changes will not be introduced straight away as they require a combination of legislative and technical changes.

The changes will be implemented in spring 2026.

We will provide more details about the changes and what they mean for you and your pupils ahead of them coming into force.

We have contacted your pupils with a car theory test or practical car test booking to let them know about the upcoming changes.

Working in partnership with the MOD

We have agreed with the MOD that 36 defence driving examiners (DDE) will do driving tests for one day a week for 12 months.

They will predominantly focus on car driving tests but will have the flexibility to do vocational testing as well if needed. They will usually conduct 7 tests in a day, which is the expectation for DVSA examiners doing car tests.

The DDEs will be based at the driving test centre with the highest demand nearest to either their MOD base location or where they live.

Before they start testing, all DDEs will do up to 10 days of training to support them to do non-military testing and so they can learn the test routes of the test centre they are based at.

Update on the summer 2026 waiting times target