DVSA Wants Your Input on Changing How Driving Tests Are Booked
steve johnson- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
Here’s what’s being proposed for Driving Tests— and what it could mean for you
The DVSA is running a consultation to change the way car driving tests are booked and managed in the UK. This is only about practical car tests — not theory, motorcycles, buses or HGVs.
They say the current system is being misused by people charging extra for test slots. This review aims to make test booking fairer, reduce waiting times, and cut out unnecessary fees.
Why now?
Back in December 2024, the DVSA launched a 7-point plan to tackle long waiting times. One key part of that plan was to review test booking rules — this consultation is the result.
They also received nearly 27,000 responses from learners, instructors and booking companies. A lot of the feedback raised concerns about unfair reselling and swap abuse.
What’s going wrong?
The DVSA’s own data shows:
Some learners pay over £120 (almost double the fee) to third-party apps
Over 327,000 driving tests were swapped in 2024
Some were swapped 10 times or more
Some instructors and businesses are making money by reserving and reselling tests (They should be shut down IMO)
Bots and automated tools are constantly hammering the booking site
The proposals (and your options)
The DVSA wants feedback on two main areas:
1. Who can book or manage a test
2. How tests can be swapped or changed
Here’s what’s on the table:
🧑🏫 Who can book tests?
Option A – Only learners can book
Instructors can’t book or change tests
They can still set their available dates to avoid clashes
Option B – Learners and instructors can book, but only learners can make changes
Instructors book as they do now
But only the learner can change or swap it
Option C – Keep things as they are
Learners, instructors and driving schools can all book and manage tests freely
🔁 How tests can be changed or swapped?
Option A – No swaps, no location changes
You can only change the date/time at the same centre (max 2 times)
Want a different centre? You’d need to cancel and rebook
Option B – Limit changes
You can make up to 2 total changes (e.g. one swap and one move)
Changes must stay within a local area
Option C – Keep the current system
Up to 6 changes allowed
Full freedom to swap or change date, time, and test centre
Pros and cons
✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
Cuts out resellers charging extra | Could limit flexibility for genuine learners |
Fairer access to tests for everyone | Instructors may find it harder to manage pupil readiness |
Reduces misuse of swap tools | Could affect anxious learners who need last-minute changes |
Helps DVSA maintain a stable booking system | Less control for instructors over test planning |
What happens next?
The consultation is open until 23 July 2025. After that, the DVSA will review all feedback and could change the law to enforce new rules.
You can respond as an individual, parent, instructor or on behalf of an organisation. It’s open to anyone who uses the system.
📝 Give your feedback here: Start the consultation →
Our view at PASSFAN
We agree that reselling tests at inflated prices is unfair and needs stopping. But some of the proposed changes might unintentionally make things harder for learners who genuinely need flexibility — especially those with anxiety or specific learning needs.
Whatever your view, we recommend filling in the consultation and having your say. Your test day matters, and so does how you get there.
A final thought from PASSFAN
Most driving instructors just want the best outcome for their students — a fair test date, at the right time, when they’re ready. But the system has been pushed to its limits, often by large apps or booking services looking to profit.
Some ADIs may have misused the tools, but in our experience, the vast majority use the system properly. It’s the reselling market — not everyday instructors — that’s caused the biggest problems.
Whatever changes are made, we know this: when there’s money to be made, someone will always try to game the system. Let’s hope the DVSA’s proposals bring real improvement, without making life harder for learners and instructors trying to do things the right way.
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