Dvsa driving test booking update as 'fast track' may deadline changed

LEARNER DRIVERS HAVE BEEN LEFT FURIOUS AT HOW 'IMPOSSIBLE' IT IS TO BOOK TESTS 13:17, 20 May 2025Updated 13:59, 20 May 2025 The government today issued an update on the crisis in

booking driving tests which has left wannabe motorists frustrated. Currently anyone wanting to get a test has to go through the central service on the Gov website. People are queuing up to

book a test from 6am every day - and threatened with having to go through a queuing process - but in almost all cases they are simply told there are no tests to book at their preferred

centre or any nearby. One frustrated learner said: “It’s hard to tell if bots are getting in first or simply that there are no tests to book anywhere at all. It’s ridiculous.” A new petition

on the Parliament website has smashed through 10,000 signatures - triggering a response from the Department for Transport (DfT). The petition, which was submitted by Jason Horsfield, said:

“Review process for booking driving tests and ban the resale at inflated prices I would like the government to review the process for booking driving tests and ban the resale of driving

tests at inflated prices. I think there should be penalties for those caught doing so.” The DfT said it was currently carrying out a review into the process - which could be a boost for

learners - assuming it gets resolved in any kind of short timescale. The DfT said: “DVSA is reviewing its booking processes with the aim of improving this service for all users. A

consultation regarding possible options for improvements has been fast-tracked to May 2025. “To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle

Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking

system.” Article continues below The DfT said it was ‘aware’ of ‘third-party websites selling driving test appointments’ and added that it did not ‘approve use of such applications’. On the

issue of people suggesting bots or rogue instructors are ‘block booking’ tests the DfT said: “It is not possible to block book car practical driving tests. A driving licence number can be

assigned to only one car practical driving test within the booking system at a time. “DVSA deploys enhanced bot protection to help stop automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. These

applications, however, are constantly evolving and changing, and DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.” The DfYT officials said the DVSA is looking at responses on current rules on booking tests

which were gathered last year. It said the results of this would lead to ‘proposals’ which ‘will lead to consultation on improving processes, including any potential future legislative

changes.’ with consultation on these ‘fast-tracked’ to end this month (May 2025). Article continues below It added that terms and conditions have been changed meaning 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.” If anyone breaks the terms and conditions, the DVSA can issue them with a warning notice,

suspend their account and where necessary, close their account. Since this change DVSA has issued 44 warnings, 120 suspensions, and closed 270 business accounts. To view the petition and

the full response click here.