Consultation outcome

Improving driving test availability and processes: consultation outcome

Updated 30 March 2023

Introduction

A consultation lets you give your views on new or changing government policies. We take your responses into consideration before government ministers make any final decisions.

We ran a consultation between 25 January and 8 March 2022 about changing some policies that affect learning to drive and driving tests. We wanted to get your views on ideas to:

  • encourage learner drivers to be better prepared when they take their car driving test
  • reduce the number of car driving test appointments that are wasted
  • collect better data about how well driving instructors prepare learner drivers
  • give learner drivers better information about driving instructors
  • update when and how we carry out the eyesight check at the start of the driving test
  • replace paper pass certificates with digital pass certificates

20,960people responded to the consultation

Ministers would like to thank everyone who contributed their views to this consultation.

This chart shows a breakdown of who responded to the consultation.

Type of respondentPercentage
Learner driver or rider70.4%
Approved driving instructor (ADI) or driving school14.0%
Experienced driver8.9%
Newly-qualified driver (passed a car or motorcycle test in the last 2 years)3.0%
Other2.9%
HGV or bus trainer or training school0.3%
Motorcycle trainer or training school0.2%
Road safety organisation0.2%
Industry representative organisation0.1%

We asked respondents how many employees they have if they were a business. 3,716 respondents answered this question. This chart shows a breakdown of responses.

Number of employeesPercentage
1 to 940.1%
10 to 492.1%
50 to 2490.3%
250 or more1.0%
Do not know0.7%
Not applicable55.8%

We also received comments in writing. These have also been taken into account.

This document explains what:

  • we proposed
  • has been decided
  • happens next
  • feedback we received

Why we put these proposals forward

We currently have very high demand for driving tests. There are 3 main reasons for this:

  • fewer tests than usual have taken place because of restrictions and other factors related to the pandemic
  • learner drivers who are not yet ready to take their test have heard that waiting times are high, causing them to book earlier than they normally would
  • the pass rate for driving tests – for many years, less than half of people pass on their first attempt, meaning they’ll need to take at least one more test

Many driving instructors tell us that some learner drivers want to pass their driving test as quickly and cheaply as possible. They say they are unable to stop their pupils from booking a test before they are ready.

We put forward some of these proposals because we think they’ll:

  • encourage learner drivers to be better prepared for their driving test
  • help to reduce the number of driving test appointments that are wasted
  • give us more flexibility in how and when we can carry out driving tests

Other proposals were to help us to:

  • find out more about what information learner drivers and their families want to know when choosing a driving instructor – which in the longer term will help learner drivers to find the best driving instructor for them
  • move to replace paper pass certificates with digital versions, saving millions of sheets of paper each year

Summary of proposals and decisions

Proposal Feedback about the proposal Decision and next steps
People will need to wait 28 working days before being able to take another car driving test after failing one, rather than the current 10 working days 30.4% agree Ministers would like to introduce the proposal.

The date the change will take effect will be confirmed nearer the time.
People would need to move or cancel their car driving test at least 10 full working days before the appointment to avoid losing their test fee, rather than the current 3 full working days 48.5% agree Ministers would like to introduce the proposal.

The date the change will take effect will be confirmed nearer the time.

Driving instructors only

Proposal Feedback about the proposal Decision and next steps
Driving instructors would be legally required to display their approved driving instructor (ADI) or trainee driving instructor registration certificate in the windscreen of their car when they bring people for driving tests54.2% agreedMinisters would like to introduce the proposal.

This will require primary legislation.

In the meantime, we will work with instructors to encourage them to display their certificates.
Driving instructors would be legally required to display their approved driving instructor (ADI) or trainee driving instructor registration certificate in the windscreen of their car when they bring people for driving tests
54.2% agreed
Ministers would like to introduce the proposal.

This will require primary legislation.

In the meantime, we will work with instructors to encourage them to display their certificates.Driving instructors would be legally required to display their approved driving instructor (ADI) or trainee driving instructor registration certificate in the windscreen of their car when they bring people for driving tests
54.2% agreed
Ministers would like to introduce the proposal.

This will require primary legislation.

In the meantime, we will work with instructors to encourage them to display their certificates.

What we proposed

We proposed that people will need to wait 28 working days before being able to take another car driving test after failing one, rather than the current 10 working days.

We proposed this to:

  • reduce the number of people attempting the test when they’re not ready, because they would know they would have to wait longer to be able to take it again if they failed
  • mean that people who fail have more time to take further training before taking the test again

What’s been decided

Ministers have decided to extend the period a candidate can take another car driving test from 10 working days to 28 working days.

They have decided this because:

  • the period gives candidates time to take extra training
  • it will have a positive impact on car driving test waiting times
  • gaining more knowledge, skills and experience will help keep new drivers safe at the crucial point that they drive on their own for the first time
  • better prepared drivers should have a positive effect on road safety
  • one-third of learner drivers admit this will encourage them to only book their test when they are ready while waiting times remain the same – this increases to 42.8% if waiting times reduce

What will happen next

This change can be made by ‘secondary legislation’. This is law created by ministers under powers given to them by an Act of Parliament (primary legislation).

The Department for Transport will draft a document called a Statutory Instrument (SI) to make changes to the law. This will be published with an explanatory memorandum, which outlines the purpose of the SI and why the change is necessary.

When the change will happen

The dates the SI will be made and come into effect as law have not yet been confirmed.

Sign up for email alerts to be told when the dates are confirmed.

Feedback we received about this proposal

We asked 3 questions about this proposal. They were:

  • to what extent people agreed that the minimum period between failing a test and taking another attempt should be increased from 10 to 28 working days
  • whether the proposal would encourage people to only book their test when ready if waiting times remain the same
  • whether the proposal would encourage people to only book their test when ready if waiting times were reduced

To what extent do you agree or disagree that the standard period before which an unsuccessful candidate can make a further application for a test should be extended from 10 to 28 working days?

Overall, 20,940 respondents answered this question.

30.4%of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with this proposal

In total, 30.4% of respondents agreed with the proposal and 63.1% disagreed with the proposal. This means that 32.7% more people disagreed with this proposal than agreed with it.

ResponsePercentage
Strongly agree13.8%
Agree16.6%
Neither agree nor disagree6.5%
Disagree19.1%
Strongly disagree44.0%
Type of respondentTotal who agreedNeither agree nor disagreeTotal who disagreedTotal
A learner driver28.1%6.7%65.3%100%
A newly qualified driver28.4%6.0%65.7%100%
An experienced driver36.6%5.5%57.9%100%
An approved driving instructor or driving school37.1%6.1%56.9%100%
A motorcycle trainer or training school19.6%3.9%76.5%100%
An HGV or bus trainer or training school35.3%5.9%58.9%100%
An industry representative organisation52.4%0.0%47.6%100%
A road safety organisation74.3%5.1%20.5%100%
Other35.4%9.0%55.5%100%
Total30.4%6.5%63.1%100%

Responses to the proposal, indicated that 31% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed with this proposal. 63% of all respondents responding strongly disagreed or disagreed that the standard period before which an unsuccessful candidate can make a further application for a test should be extended from 10 to 28 working days.

Learner drivers consisted of 70% of all respondents. 28% of learner drivers strongly agreed or agreed with this proposal, 7% neither agreed nor disagreed. This left a majority of 65% who either strongly disagreed or disagreed with the standard period before which an unsuccessful candidate can make a further application for a test being extended from 10 working days to 28 working days.

Newly qualified drivers held a similar opinion, as did ADIs. 28% of newly qualified drivers strongly agreed or agreed, 6% neither agreed nor disagreed and the majority, (66%), strongly disagreed or disagreed with the proposal to extend the standard period before which an unsuccessful candidate can make a further application for a test being extended from 10 working days to 28 working days. 37% of ADIs strongly agreed or agreed and 57% strongly disagreed or disagreed with the proposal.

Respondents felt that extending the period to when a learner driver can rebook a test was unfair and that it would penalise those learners who failed their driving test due to ‘silly errors’ because of feeling nervous on the day.

As a newly qualified driver , I agree that clients should take at least 28 days when fail to re-book their practical test.

28 days wait for test would make people books tests and hope to be ready since it will be at least 4 weeks in advance.

I think the idea of enforcing a time limit of 28 days on rebooking tests after failing is counter productive. I failed a test on Wednesday, got a cancellation the next Saturday, and passed! If I had waited any longer I would have forgotten much of what I had been preparing for.

If a driver makes one or more silly mistakes that are due to nervousness, it is unfair to penalise them with a delay of 28 days, when they do not necessarily need more practice and tuition, they simply need a different set of circumstances and maybe even just a different examiner..

The points brought up were mostly good, the eyesight test and the premise of extending but for a learner you care a lot about the cost of learning to drive and extending the rebook to a whole month and extending number of days needed to cancel to 10 days were good ideas but I think were extended by too much. Having to wait a whole month means you have to book lessons for that month costing more money (although that’s not a problem at the moment since you can’t book a test within 6 months anyway! Which is ridiculous) Most people would only make a small mistake on their test so wouldn’t need that much time to prepare, and if you think you would you’d book a test further in advance anyway…

If the measure would encourage learner drivers to only book a test when they’re ready

We asked people who said they were learner drivers to what extent they agreed that the measure would encourage them to only book when they were ready.

14,753 respondents answered these questions.

1 in 3learner drivers said the change would encourage them to only book their test when they were ready while waiting times remain the sameChange to table and accessible view

Total who agreed

Neither agree not disagree

Total who disagreed

Would encourage me to only book my test when ready if waiting times remained the same

33.3%

13.1%

53.6%

100%

Would encourage me to only book my test when ready if waiting times were reduced

42.8%

15.0%

42.2%

100%

Comments submitted included:

I don’t see how extending from 10 to 28 days to book a re-test is going to help with the pass rate of students.

I really DO NOT think the wait time for rebooking a test should be extended at all. When I failed a test for a silly mistake, I was ready to retake a week later after working on it with my instructor…

I disagree with waiting 28 days too Ree-book [sic] a test because lots of people are just nervous the first time so after failing the first time they know what to expect and are more relaxed so I think it’s more to due with being nervous than not being prepared.

With 5-6 months waiting times to book a test, I don’t see how extending from 10 to 28 days to book a re-test is going to help with the pass rate of students. It will only add more time on top of the current waiting times.

I think you are not considering the cause of most fails, which in my opinion is anxiety, Extending the period that a drive can book another test after failing will just cause more pressure and anxiety to pass the test on the first time,,

Extending rebooking isn’t fair as lots of people don’t pass first time although they are ‘ready’ they just have nerves; so by extending to 28 days rebooking just means more wasted money on driving lessons as well as time.

I think the increase from 10-28 days to retake a test should be temporary due to the current demand since the pandemic. I also think that that test day times should be extended for this period to accommodate the demand.

Get ready for your driving test

Passing your driving test gives you independence and freedom. But taking your test too early could lead to a failed test, disappointment, and potentially delays to you getting on the road. Please look at the link below which will take you to all the latest information from the DVSA

Fantastic information from the DVSA on everything you need to know from finding a driving instructor to passing your practical driving test 1st time.

just click the link below

https://readytopass.campaign.gov.uk/

Image supplied by Pixabay thank you.

Things you need to know about changes to the driving test booking service

The driving test can be changed up to 6 times

We have reduced the number of times a driving test appointment can be changed from 10 to 6.

If you or your pupil changes the test more than 6 times, you will need to cancel it and rebook the test.

Short notice cancellations are changing

From Wednesday 22 June, we will no longer automatically rearrange or refund practical, or theory tests cancelled within the 3-day short notice cancellation window if your pupil tells us they have COVID-19.

This means that you or your pupils will lose your test fee if a test is cancelled within the short notice period unless your pupil:

  • is ill or injured
  • has been affected by a bereavement
  • needs to take an exam
  • has had their driving licence stolen

The full details about the change and how to apply for a refund were sent to you by email on June 7.

We’ll also be updating the guidance on GOV.UK.   

Who can use the book and manage your pupil’s driving test service

Only businesses who employ at least one ADI can register and access the service.

Vocational and motorcycle trainer bookers will also be able to continue to use the service. Image supplied by Pixabay

Driving test bookings: cracking down on companies exploiting learner drivers

You may have seen recent media reports about companies that do not employ driving instructors profiting from selling practical driving tests.

This has been done by companies often using bots and exploiting the service set up for you to book and manage driving tests for your pupils.

Many of these companies are charging more than the test booking fee of £62 for a car driving test. We want to prevent a social divide between those who can and cannot afford to use these services.

We are aware of the potential risks of unofficial companies and some driving instructors who are profiting from the booking system and exploiting learner drivers. We have developed a plan to help prevent this.

Cracking down on companies exploiting learner drivers

Loveday Ryder, DVSA Chief Executive, said:

“We’ve already put in place measures to monitor and prevent bots from accessing our systems while also strengthening our firewall to tackle the issue.

“We will work tirelessly to crack down on companies that are exploiting learner drivers.

“We’ve closed the system to new registrations and will rapidly close down accounts that do not belong to driving instructors and driving schools. We’ll also be taking further steps to make sure all future accounts are linked to driving instructors and those with training businesses.”

What we’ve done so far

So far we have:

  • stopped accepting new automatic online registrations to use the service – any new applications must be made by email, where they’ll be thoroughly checked by DVSA – we’ll update GOV.UK with the new process soon
  • stopped accepting any new registrations from companies who do not directly employ a driving instructor
  • started removing any registrations not linked to driving instructors
  • reduced the number of times a driving test appointment can be changed from 10 to the pre-pandemic limit of 6 – if you need to make more changes after that, you or your pupil will have to cancel the test and rebook it – this takes effect from tomorrow (Thursday 2 June)

What we’ll do next

We will change the terms and conditions for using the service to make it clear you’re not allowed to use it to make a profit from making and managing driving test bookings. We’ll share more information about this next week.

The number of tests available on our booking service will not be affected by these changes. These measures will not have a negative impact on the waiting times for a practical test. 

Nick Taylor, the ADI Registrar, is also reviewing the ‘fit and proper’ criteria to make it clear that profiting from driving test bookings is not considered fit and proper behaviour.

image supplied by Pixaba

Driver testing services – plan B restrictions ending in England

Following the government’s announcement on the ending of plan B restrictions in England, we want to explain what these changes mean to driver testing services in England and how these changes will affect you and your pupils.

The main changes are:

  • you and your pupils are not legally required to wear face coverings during lessons, but government guidance suggests that you continue to do so in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet
  • your pupils should take a rapid lateral flow test on the day of their driving test, before leaving home
  • your candidates no longer have to wear a face covering for their theory test, but the government guidance suggests that you continue to do so in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet

We are asking practical test candidates to continue to wear a face covering, unless they have a good reason not to wear one. Your pupils need to advise us in advance if this is the case. We will be keeping this under review.

The current driving test safety measures in Scotland and Wales remain in place and we will let you know of any changes.

Driving lessons in England

You and your pupils no longer have to wear a face covering by law on professional driving lessons.

COVID-19 spreads through the air by droplets and aerosols that are breathed out from the nose and mouth of an infected person.

However, we are suggesting you and your pupils continue to wear a face covering during lessons in line with government guidance that suggests people continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where they may come into contact with other people they do not normally meet.

Driving tests in England-Wearing a face covering

We are asking you and you pupil to continue to wear a face covering when you come for driving tests, unless you or your pupil have a good reason not to, such as:

  • having a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means you cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering
  • putting on, wearing or removing a face covering would cause you severe distress

If your pupil has a good reason not to wear a face covering, we ask them, when they book their test, to tell us – if you have made the booking on behalf of your pupil you will need to do this if required.

Your pupil’s test may not take place without a face covering if they have not made us aware when booking their test. We will be keeping this under review.

Taking rapid lateral flow tests

We are asking your pupils to take a rapid lateral flow test before their driving test if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms. We are asking that they do this on the day of their driving test, before they leave home.

Find out more about taking a rapid lateral flow test before taking a driving test.

In England, you should now take a rapid lateral flow test if you’ll be in a high-risk situation that day. This includes being in enclosed spaces where there is limited fresh air. 

Car cleanliness and fresh air

You must clean the inside of your car before bringing your pupil for test.

This means:

  • removing any rubbish or unnecessary items from the dashboard, footwells, door pockets, cup holders and seats
  • cleaning and wiping down the dashboard and car controls
  • making sure the passenger seat and footwell is not dirty

The examiner will do an additional clean of some surfaces, but your test will be cancelled if the inside of your car is dirty.

The car used for the test must have at least one window open on each side throughout the test. Any combination of windows can be opened. Your pupils should wear clothing suitable for the weather.

Driving test centre waiting rooms

In general, the risk of catching or passing on COVID-19 is higher:

  • in crowded spaces, where there are more people who might be infectious
  • in enclosed indoor spaces where there is limited fresh air

We continue to suggest you keep your distance, wear face coverings and practise good hand hygiene in our waiting areas in England to help reduce the spread of the virus. Thank you for your support and cooperation.

Theory tests in England

It is no longer a legal requirement for your pupils to wear a face covering whilst attending and taking their theory test.

However, we are asking candidates to wear face coverings during their theory test in line with government guidance on wearing a face covering in indoor spaces where people might come into contact with others they do not usually meet.

If your pupils wear a face covering to their theory test, they will be asked to remove it temporarily for staff to do an ID check.

Other safety measures such as the screen at reception areas and workstation dividers will remain in place.  (Picture supplied by Pixabay)

Increasing the number of driving tests appointments

To help tackle the waiting list for driving tests we have been working on a number of ways to increase the amount of driving test appointments available.

We wanted to update you on the things we have been working on:

Returning to 7 tests a day

From Monday 14 June 2021 we will be increasing the number of tests our examiners in England, Scotland and Wales carry out each day to 7 – this is the number carried out before the pandemic.

This change will allow us to increase capacity across the national network by an average of 15,000 to 20,000 tests per month.

We are doing this because our driving examiners are now used to carrying out additional COVID-19 safety measures, so we can now carry out 7 driving tests each day with little risk of over-running.

This means we can keep these safety measures in place to protect learner drivers and examiners whilst safely increasing the number of tests per day.

We will be increasing the number of tests by adding an additional test at the end of the working day so tests currently booked will not be affected.

We’ll also be able to start offering early morning and evening tests.

When will the new appointments be available to book?

We will start gradually adding new appointments on to the booking system on a daily basis from 9 June.

You or your pupils can check for new appointments at your local test centres on the book a driving test or the change your driving test services.

Alternatively if you are registered to use the book and manage driving tests for your pupils service you can use this to check for new appointments in your area.

We recently contacted candidates with a booking on hold to let them know that they needed to choose a test appointment date by 31 August or their booking will be cancelled.

We will be writing to them again to let them know that as we are returning to 7 tests a day, additional test appointments will be added to the booking service so more tests will be available to choose from.

Circumstances when pupils cannot take a driving test

Your pupils will not be able to take their driving test if they meet any of the following criteria:

  • they have any coronavirus symptoms (high temperature, fever, new continuous cough, a change or loss of smell or taste from normal).
  • they have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace in the last 14 days.
  • they are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test or have had a positive test in the last 7 days.
  • they have visited a school, college or other building that has been closed due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the last 7 days.
  • they live with someone who has either tested positive for COVID-19 or had symptoms of COVID–19 in the last 14 days.

Areas where the new variant is spreading

In locations where there is an enhanced Covid response in place, we will write to candidates before their test to make them aware of this.

Our driving examiners will also ask all candidates these questions before taking them out on test. If they answer yes to any of the above criteria their test will be cancelled and they will be asked to reschedule.

To do this they can email us at customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk and we can help them look for the earliest possible appointment once they have finished self-isolating.

The importance of your pupils being ready for their test

It’s important that your pupils take their test only when both you and your pupil are confident they can pass. This will help them to avoid a lengthy wait for a retest and help us by not adding to the backlog of tests.

Reintroducing short term cancellations

We are also reintroducing the 3 working day short notice cancellation period for practical car tests. This was temporarily suspended when we restarted testing in July 2020 following the first lockdown.

All tests taking place from Thursday 17 June 2021 will be subject to the 3 working day short notice cancellation period.

We will be writing to all candidates with tests taking place from 17 June to let them know of this change.

If you or your pupil need to cancel a test within the 3 working day period as a result of a positive COVID-19 test result or having to self-isolate you will need to email us at customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk

Please put – COVID SHORT NOTICE CANCELLATION – in the subject of the email and we will look to reschedule the test for the earliest possible appointment.

To do this email us at customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk and we can help look for the earliest possible appointment once they have finished self-isolating.

You or your pupil may be asked to provide evidence when cancelling at short notice.

If your pupil cancels their test within the 3 working day period or fails to turn up to their test they will lose their test fee.

Potential contract for driving examiner recruitment

Another aspect of our ongoing work to reduce waiting times is recruiting additional driving examiners. We had a positive response to our recruitment campaign, but there are some areas of the country where we still need to recruit more examiners, including the South East.

To support this we are exploring options to temporarily contract in experienced driving assessors to qualify as driving examiners and will run a further recruitment campaign in the weeks ahead. 

More information

Check GOV.UK for the latest about:

Image supplied by Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay thank you

Restarting driving lessons and tests in England and Wales

The UK Government has confirmed in recent announcements that lockdown restrictions can be eased as planned in England and Wales.

This means driver, rider and vocational lessons and tests will restart in line with the indicative dates we previously shared with you.

Driving lessons will restart on 12 April and driving tests 10 days later on 22 April. Fleet training and testing will also restart on 12 April.

Test ready

We’ll email candidates with car practical tests booked from the 22 April to let them know their tests will go ahead.

If you have booked a test for any of your pupils during this period, please can you reassure them that their tests will go ahead as planned.

Restarting lessons ten days ahead of tests will give you the chance to provide your pupils with professional refresher training before they take their test. We know many of you wanted the opportunity to carry out lessons and training before we restart driving tests and we agree with this, so do the National Association of Strategic Partners (NASP).

Image by PIRO4D from Pixabay

Booking Your Practical Driving Tets

The practical driving test is being re-arranged all the time plus there are people booking in the test as quickly as they can which is understandable it is important to ensure you have enough time to practice prior to your driving test this is advice from the DVSA to ensure pupils are at a standard of which they should pass 1st time this is important because taking your test too soon or without the correct amount of practice with result in not passing and booking another one which will be a long way away to to the backlog.

It is also very important if you would like to take your test with my car please check at all times with me before booking your practical driving test that I am free to take you, lessons I can rearrange but I may already be booked out on another person driving test and it is not normally possible for me to do two test in one day due to the time it takes to do the test and due to distance of where the pupils live.

Please ensure you keep all booking correspondence with you and bring it to the test center if there are any booking errors this will ensure you get rebooked quickly if it is the fault of the DVSA if it is your fault you would re-book as normal i,e massive delay.

Please also ensure that after checking and confirming practical test dates with me that you must have confirmation from me, please  not all messages arrive