The Announcement: A Major Shake-Up for Learner Drivers

If you’ve been following the news about driving tests, you might have heard that a major shake-up is on the horizon. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced the results of its consultation on how driving tests are booked in the UK, and the outcome is clear: the way learners schedule their practical driving test is changing, with the new system due to roll out in Spring 2026.

We know that change can feel a bit daunting—especially when you just want to get on the road. But don’t worry. The goal of these changes is actually to make the system fairer, safer, and more transparent for everyone.

At Andrew’s Driving School, we want to make sure you have all the facts without the jargon. Here is everything you need to know about what’s coming and how we will support you through it.

🕒 Why are these changes happening?

In recent years, the demand for practical tests has been incredibly high. Unfortunately, this created opportunities for exploitation. It seems that there are some companies booking tests and selling them at a huge premium. To be honest, we are unsure exactly how they are doing this, but it has certainly added to the frustration for learners trying to find a slot.

If that is true, and this new system stops it, then we see these changes as a good thing. It should hopefully make it easier and fairer for everyone to book a driving test without having to compete with unfair practices.

The DVSA wants to bring the system back to what it should be: fair and accessible. By tightening control around who can book a test, they aim to stop the exploitation and give learners a more reliable experience. For the official DVSA document you can read it here: DVSA Consultation Outcome.

Here is a simple breakdown of the new rules compared to the old ones, so you can see exactly where you stand.

Key Changes at a Glance

🛑 What about our current Test Booking Service?

We want to be completely transparent about how this affects the service we currently offer our students.

Many of our pupils currently use the Andrew’s Driving Test Booking Service, where for an additional fee of £23 (which covers the cost of using online cancellation checking software), we handle the admin for you.

Currently, we are able to hold a number of test slots in our system. This has allowed us to move tests around and allocate specific dates to our pupils exactly when they are ready to pass.

We know this system has been far from ideal. However, with waiting lists stretching to over a year and finding a slot becoming almost impossible for individuals, this service has been a necessary workaround. Despite the difficulties of the current climate, it has at least given many of our pupils the opportunity to take—and pass—their driving test when they otherwise might have been stuck waiting indefinitely.

However, come Spring 2026, this service will no longer be possible.

Because the DVSA is stopping instructors and driving schools from booking on behalf of students—and strictly limiting how many times a test can be swapped—we will no longer be able to hold slots or swap dates between pupils.

The good news? The reason the DVSA is doing this is to stop everyone from bulk-booking slots. This should mean that when you log on to book your own test, there is actually availability there waiting for you, removing the need for services like ours altogether.

🚗 How This Affects You (and Our Tips)

Think of the new system as a more direct route. Instead of relying on us to “snag” a date for you using our software, you’ll log into the official government service, enter your licence details, and choose your own test.

It gives you more independence, but it does mean you’ll need to stay organised. Here are our top tips for navigating the new system smoothly:

• 1. Talk to Your Instructor Before BookingOur Tips: Timing is everything. Before you lock in a date, chat with us. We need to make sure you are test-ready and that our car is available for that specific date and time.
• 2. Plan AheadOur Tips: Test waiting times may still vary by location. Don’t leave it until the last minute—keep an eye on availability and have your theory test pass number ready.
• 3. Avoid “Slot Finders”Our Tips: The new system is designed to block third-party resellers. Going forward, stick to the official GOV.UK website for all bookings and payments. It’s the safest way to ensure your booking is genuine.
• 4. Be “Ready to Pass”Our Tips: With strict limits on how many times you can swap a test, “panic booking” a date you aren’t ready for is risky. We will help you judge exactly when you are ready so you can book with confidence.