As we’ve detailed before, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is changing how car driving tests are booked. To ensure a smooth rollout, the agency is staggering the introduction of the changes.
For example, in April, the number of times you can change your booking location has dropped from six to two.
Coming up in May, the agency is restricting who can actually book the driving test. Previously, it was typically your driving instructor or you. However, from the 12th, only learner drivers will be able to make a booking appointment, removing the instructor from the process entirely (here’s why the DVSA is making the change). But what does that actually mean in practice?
Here’s our quick six-step guide to the upcoming change so you don’t get caught out:
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Booking numbers
You will need your instructor to provide you with your driving test booking reference number. Using this and your driving licence number, you can then access and manage your booking online once the new system goes live in May.
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Changing emails
Often, it’s your instructor’s email address that is used in the booking process. The problem? The DVSA says that many existing bookings still feature instructors’ addresses and these must be replaced with the learner’s email address before 12 May. This will ensure all communications sent by the agency go directly to the learner, not the instructor.
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Confirming your identity
If your instructor hasn’t made the address change, you can do it yourself by signing into the driving test booking system (remember to have your reference and licence number to hand). Simply enter your own email address and ideally, also update your contact phone number, too. From 12 May, you will also need to check the tick box, confirming you are the learner who will be taking the test and agreeing to the agency’s new terms and conditions.
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Syncing your instructor
If your instructor’s ADI Personal Reference Number is not present in the booking system, be sure to enter it. This is a vital step asles the booking system to check your instructor’s timetable. By linking their number, the system will automatically hide test dates when they are unavailable (such as when they are on holiday or have another pupil’s test booked). If you don’t have their reference number, your instructor will be happy to provide it – just ask!
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Stopping the worry!
You may be concerned that changing your email address counts as making a change to your booking, so could use up one of your two valuable official ‘changes’ allowed by the DVSA. Fret not though, as updating your email, phone number or home address – or adding your instructor’s reference number – does not count toward your tally of two changes. The new rule only applies if you change the date, time or location of your actual driving test.
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Getting help
While it will be unlawful for your instructor to directly book your test from the 12th – and their access to the car booking system will be blocked anyway – they can still help you through the process while sitting next to you.
No internet?
No worries, as the DVSA can still take your booking by phone – simply call its Customer Service Centre on 0300 200 1122. Bear in mind though that during the call, you will need to provide a verbal declaration that you are the person who will be taking the test.
Remember, no one else can make the booking for you – not even a family member or partner. This approach might seem a little strict but it’s to help stop third-party cancellation apps from hoovering up and reselling invaluable test slots. The aim? To make more slots available to you to book!
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Main image by Google Gemini