The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has unveiled significant changes to the driving test system in a bid to tackle record waiting times that have left learners facing delays of up to six months.
Military Reinforcements Arrive
Ministry of Defence driving examiners are being mobilised for up to 12 months to help deliver an additional 6,500 tests across Britain. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander confirmed the unprecedented move during a briefing to the Transport Select Committee on November 12th.
The military examiners will primarily focus on car tests but retain flexibility to conduct vocational tests for bus and lorry drivers if required. They'll be stationed at test centres with the highest demand near their MOD bases or home locations.
Three Key Changes to Booking System
The government is implementing three major reforms to create a fairer system:
First, only learner drivers themselves will be able to book and manage tests, cutting out third parties entirely. This measure directly targets online bots that have been booking slots and reselling them at inflated prices.
Second, learners will be limited to making just two changes to their test booking - including moves, swaps and location changes - before having to cancel and rebook entirely.
Third, test location changes will be restricted to centres close to the original booking, preventing people from booking in quiet areas only to transfer to busier centres later.
Tackling the Backlog Head-On
Current waiting times average around 22 weeks as of spring 2025, with some centres experiencing 24-week delays. The new measures represent the government's most decisive action yet to address the crisis.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated: "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."
The changes mean learners will only pay the standard DVSA fees of £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays, rather than inflated prices charged by third-party resellers.
Minister for the Armed Forces Al Carns confirmed the military deployment would not impact military operations, stating: "Our military driving examiners bring skill and professionalism from testing service personnel to prepare them for some of the toughest conditions imaginable."
Industry Welcome and Implementation Timeline
Steve Gooding, Director of the RAC Foundation, welcomed the changes: "It is good to see steps being put in place to put a stop to those touting tests to frustrated learners - candidates stuck in the queue should at least be reassured that they aren't being elbowed aside by those simply seeking to make a quick buck."
The reforms follow a DVSA consultation where up to 70% of respondents supported restricting bookings to learners only. However, the changes won't take effect immediately, with implementation expected in spring 2026 due to required legislative and technical adjustments.
This comprehensive approach represents the government's commitment to easing pressure on the testing system while ensuring fairness for all learner drivers across the country.
