The new measure is being introduced to stop people using ‘bots’ to snap up driving test slots as soon as they become available, to then sell on for profit
New driving test booking rules are coming into force today affecting thousands of learners.
As of June 9, learner drivers can only swap their test booking to the three centres nearest to their original booking location.
The new measure is being introduced to stop people using “bots” to snap up driving test slots as soon as they become available, to then sell on for profit.
It is also hoped it will cut down on a huge backlog of learners waiting to take their practical test, with the average wait time now more than five months. Other changes have recently been introduced.
As of May 12, driving instructors and third parties, including unofficial test booking and cancellation finder services, have been banned from making bookings for someone else.
It means only learner drivers can book and manage their own driving test. And since March 31, you can only make two changes to your driving test booking – you could previously make six changes.
It costs £62 to take your practical driving test on weekdays and £75 for weekends, bank holidays, and weekday evenings. You need to pass your driving theory test first, which costs £23 and is valid for two years.
Simon Lightwood, Minister for Roads and Buses, said: “This government inherited record waiting times and a huge backlog of learners waiting for tests, with the system seeing too many people paying over the odds to third-party touts.
“But we’re taking action and seeing results, delivering almost 2 million tests over the past year, more than 158,000 extra tests since June 2025, and military driving examiners now on the ground helping boost capacity across the country.
“These new rules put learners back in control by stopping others from snapping up tests and reselling them for profit, helping make the system fairer and ensuring tests go to the people who genuinely need them.”
Beverley Warmington, DVSA Chief Executive, said: “Our priority is to stop learners being exploited by third parties, put them in control of their driving test and make the process fairer by clamping down on businesses that resell tests at inflated prices.
“These new measures help bring a halt to a system where the use of bots and third parties increases the amount some learners pay for a test and blocks test availability for many others. These measures will help free up appointments for genuine learners who are ready to take their test.
“We’re determined to reduce waiting times further, building on the more than 158,000 additional tests delivered between June 2025 and March 2026 – supported by driving examiner numbers at their highest level since 2018 and the recent deployment of military driving examiners who are already carrying out tests.”
