The countdown is officially on for the new approach to the driving test booking system. There are three key dates you should mark in your calendar with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency choosing to roll out the changes over time, instead of in one big push.
Here’s how it breaks down:
Changing your driving test date (31 March)
Currently, you can change it up to six times. From the end of March, you will only be able to change it up to two times.
The reason? To halt third parties and their bots from swooping in and hoarding slots to then sell on to learners at massively inflated prices (up to £500). Plus, to make learners think carefully about if they’re test-ready as you will now only have two opportunities to change the test date, not six.
Who can book your test (12 May)
Currently, you or your instructor can book your driving test. From mid-May, only you will be able to book it.
The reason? See above – to stop third parties for buying up slots.
Who can manage your test (12 May)
Currently, you or your instructor can manage your test. From mid-May, only you will be able to.
The reason? Again, it’s to stop others from gaming the system for profit.
Where you can move your test (9 June)
Currently, you can move your test to any location, near or far. From June, you will only be able to move your test to the three nearest test centres.
The reason? The aim is to keep local centres and their slots available to local learners. It also means additional examiners will only be dispatched to test centres that actually need them.
“Learning to drive is hard enough without an unfair booking system. Learners deserve clear, honest access to tests, not being ripped off by third party sites. These changes put learners back in control, stop the system being gamed, and help make sure tests go to those who really need them.”
• Simon Lightwood, Roads & Buses Minister
Good move?
While any change to help shorten waiting times – and to stop learners being fleeced by profiteers – is positive news, not everyone is convinced by the approach.
For instance, the National Associations Strategic Partnership (NASP), which represents driving instructors, is concerned that blocking instructors from booking tests could have serious ramifications.
A letter sent by NASP to government ministers states that, “we have further removed what should be the professional gatekeeper’s ability to identify when a pupil should move to test stage and access a driving licence, enabled even more learner and inexpert decision-maker choice, and engineered in potentially more risk.”
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