The DVSA has explained that the changes only apply to car driving tests
The DVSA has explained that the changes only apply to car driving tests
The DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has announced changes to driving tests and cancellations. The latest change outlined yesterday will impact millions of drivers who are preparing to take their driving tests.
In the UK, you can typically start learning to drive at 17 years old and apply for a provisional driving licence at 15 years and 9 months. You can take the theory and driving test from your 17th birthday onwards.
Learner drivers will need to give more notice when changing or cancelling their car driving test to avoid losing the test fee from April 8, 2025. Drivers currently have to give notice of 3 full working days in order to avoid losing the test fee.
From April 8, drivers will be required to instead give 10 full working days as notice to either cancel or change test if they cannot sit it. Monday to Saturday count as working days but Sunday and bank holidays don’t.
The DVSA has explained that the changes only apply to car driving tests. Learner drivers will continue to give 3 full working days notice to change or cancel theory tests and motorcycle tests, lorry and bus driving tests, driving instructor qualification tests and other specialist vehicle driving tests.
The driving agency is making the changes as they believe “lots of people who are not ready to take their driving test leave it until the last moment to change or cancel it.”
Giving further insight of the process, they add: “That appointment then becomes available to other learner drivers. As it’s so close to the test date, it can be hard for people who are ready to pass to make all the necessary arrangements to use the appointment.” This can lead to appointments going to waste.
The DVSA hope the changes will reduce the waiting time for drivers who are ready to take their tests. DVSA is emailing all learner drivers to tell them the new deadline to change or cancel their test without losing the fee.
You will still be able to apply for a refund if you have to change or cancel your test at short notice if you have:
- an illness or injury that means you cannot take your test
- suffered a bereavement
- to take an exam at a school or college
- had your driving licence stolen
DVSA are urging learner drivers to cancel their driving test if they cannot attend, rather than just not turning up. During 2024, about 60,000 appointments were wasted because people did not turn up for their test. That’s the same number of tests that 45 full-time driving examiners can do in a year.
Outlining plans for future steps to combat wasted lessons, Later this year, DVSA will consult on proposals reduce the number of wasted tests.
For those who fail to attend, this includes increasing the amount of time they have to wait before they’re allowed to book another test and considering charging them a penalty fee.