In an effort to address the ongoing driving test backlog and curb unfair booking practices, the government has introduced new measures that will limit who can book driving tests. Under these plans, only learner drivers will be able to book their driving tests, while driving instructors will no longer be able to book slots on behalf of their students.
Key Changes to the Booking System
The new rules stipulate that learner drivers can only make up to two changes to their test bookings before they must cancel and rebook entirely. Additionally, they will only be able to change the location of their test to a nearby centre, helping to prevent exploitation by online bots and businesses that resell test slots at inflated prices.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander explained that these new measures are designed to stop people from being “exploited” by unfair practices. Alexander said, “We inherited an enormous backlog of learners ready to ditch their L plates, who have been sadly forced to endure record waiting times for their tests. Every learner should have an equal and fair opportunity to take a test.”
Reducing Waiting Times and Tackling the Backlog
The UK is facing a significant backlog of driving tests, with the average waiting time for a test reaching 21.8 weeks at the end of June 2025. As of October, there were 642,000 learner drivers with future test bookings, according to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). This backlog has been attributed to a surge in demand for driving tests and early bookings.
To address this, the DVSA aims to increase the number of tests available. In October 2025, the agency conducted 182,000 tests, marking a 9% increase from the previous year. However, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander acknowledged that the Department for Transport (DfT) would not meet its target of reducing the average waiting time to seven weeks by summer 2026, as initially planned.
Military Driving Examiners to Assist
In addition to the booking changes, the government is also deploying 36 military driving examiners from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to assist with the backlog. These Defence Driving Examiners (DDEs), who are civil servants at the MoD and usually test service personnel, will work with the DVSA for one day a week for the next 12 months. The MoD will charge the DVSA £100,000 for the use of these examiners, who will primarily focus on car driving tests but can also carry out bus and lorry driver tests if needed.
This collaboration aims to keep the military examiners’ skills sharp while helping to alleviate the pressure on public test centres. The DfT also stated that up to 6,500 additional tests will be available in high-demand areas over the next year.
Moving Forward
These new measures are part of the government’s ongoing effort to reduce the driving test backlog and provide learners with more timely access to tests. By limiting third-party bookings and increasing the number of available examiners, the DfT aims to make the process fairer and faster for all.
The government’s commitment to addressing the backlog includes both short-term and long-term solutions, with a focus on increasing test availability and ensuring a more equitable system for learner drivers across the UK.
The post New Government Plans to Tackle Driving Test Backlog: Learner Drivers Can Book Tests, No More Third-Party Bookings first appeared on Trusted and Verified USA News.
