A recent announcement from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will bring changes to the rules for changing and cancelling driving tests, aimed at reducing waiting times for learners in the UK. Starting from April 8, learner drivers will now be required to provide ten full working days notice to change or cancel their car driving test without forfeiting the test fee. The previous rule mandated three full working days notice for this purpose. However, this new regulation will solely apply to car driving tests, while learners will still need to give three full working days notice for other types of tests such as theory tests, motorcycle tests, lorry and bus driving tests, and more. Sundays and public holidays will not be counted as working days in this context.
The DVSA highlighted the need for this rule change due to a significant number of individuals not ready for their driving tests waiting until the last moment to reschedule or cancel, resulting in wasted appointments. By extending the notice period, it is expected that more appointments will become available for those learners who are prepared to take their tests, ultimately reducing overall waiting times for everyone. This modification is part of a series of actions undertaken by DVSA to address the driving test waiting time issue.
Learner drivers will receive communication from DVSA regarding the new deadline for changing or cancelling their tests without penalty. The agency has also provided a detailed list of old and new deadlines for changing or cancelling car driving tests up to June 2025 to aid learners and driving instructors during this transition. Learners facing special circumstances that require short-notice changes or cancellations, such as illness, injury, bereavement, or other emergencies, can still apply for a refund.
Another notable aspect of the DVSA’s efforts to address the problem of wasted test appointments is the upcoming consultation on proposals to deter no-shows. Potential measures being considered include increasing the waiting time for rebooking tests and imposing penalty fees on individuals who fail to attend their scheduled tests. The agency estimates that in 2024, approximately 60,000 appointments were wasted due to no-shows – equivalent to the workload of 45 full-time driving examiners in a year.
Moreover, the DVSA is committed to reimbursing out-of-pocket expenses for car driving tests that it cancels with less than three full working days notice, pending a review of the reimbursement process. The agency is urging learners to proactively cancel their tests if they are unable to attend, rather than simply not showing up, as this practice significantly contributes to wasted appointments and delays for others. Following the upcoming consultation, more stringent measures may be implemented to discourage no-shows and optimise the use of available test slots.
In conclusion, the driving test changes and cancellations rule has been revised by the DVSA to address the issue of test appointment wastage and reduce waiting times for all learners. These changes, effective from April 8, require learner drivers to provide extended notice periods for changing or cancelling car driving tests. Learners will continue to receive support for exceptional circumstances requiring short-notice test adjustments, and potential penalties may be introduced for no-shows in the future. The DVSA’s proactive approach to managing test appointments aims to streamline the testing process and enhance efficiency within the UK’s driving test system.