The changes will come in later this year
Significant changes to how car driving tests are scheduled and managed are set to be introduced from spring 2026. Whilst the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has not yet confirmed an exact date, it is understood the new regulations will primarily affect England, Scotland, and Wales.
The most notable change will see learner drivers required to book their own driving tests, with instructors no longer able to make bookings on their pupils’ behalf. Learners will then be permitted to makeup to two amendments to their test appointment, and if they choose to change the location, it must remain close to where the test was originally scheduled.
The DVSA has set out the main changes for spring 2026 on the GOV.UK website, which can be summarised as follows:
- Only you will be allowed to book your own driving test – your driving instructor will not be able to book it for you
- You will only be allowed to make a total of 2 changes to your driving test appointment
- You will only be allowed to move your test to centres near where you originally booked
Beyond relocating the test venue, the DVSA has explained that other ‘changes’ will also include altering the date, time, or exchanging an appointment with another learner driver who has already secured a test slot. Should additional modifications be required after using the two permitted changes, learners will need to cancel and rebook their test entirely.
A full refund will only be available to learner drivers who give at least 10 full working days’ notice of cancellation. On the matter of driving instructors, the DVSA has added: “Driving instructors will still be able to use the online service to manage when they are available to take their pupils for driving tests.”, reports the Express.
“This means that if a learner driver adds their driving instructor’s personal reference number to their booking, the booking system will automatically check if their instructor is available.”
The forthcoming changes follow on from minor adjustments to the driving test introduced last year. Following a trial at 20 test centres, three modifications were put in place concerning what candidates must demonstrate during their examination.
According to the DVSA, these included:
- Reducing the number of stops during the test from four to three
- Lowering the frequency of emergency stop exercises from one in three tests to one in seven
- Adding flexibility to the independent driving segment (this can be following a sat nav, traffic signs or both) to run for the full duration of the test
Whilst these modifications weren’t expected to significantly affect learners, a GOV.UK blog explained that they provide examiners with greater flexibility in route planning and an enhanced opportunity to assess learner drivers in diverse conditions.
It continued: “Making the above adjustments has helped create test routes that venture into more high-speed and high-risk areas – where location allows – and has given learners the opportunity to face a broader range of driving scenarios.
“The extension of independent driving has also given learners more time to demonstrate their ability to follow directions independently, just like they would after passing their test.
“As well as this, by reducing the number of stops and emergency stop exercises, the test feels more like a genuine drive, helping learners stay focused and relaxed during what we know can, understandably, be a nerve-wracking experience.”
