The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has confirmed a significant change to driving licence rules that will take effect from June 9, 2026. Under the new regulations, learner drivers will only be able to move their booked practical tests to nearby test centres, rather than any location across the country.
Why the Change?
The move comes in response to growing concerns over a backlog of learners waiting to sit their practical and theory exams. The DVSA aims to make the booking process fairer by preventing third-party operators from using automated bots to reserve large numbers of test slots.
In a post on social media platform X, the DVSA stated: "From June 9, 2026, learners will only be able to move their booked test to nearby centres. By changing who can book a car and change driving tests, we're making the booking process fairer."
Crackdown on Third-Party Bookings
New rules under the Labour government mean that only a learner driver can book their own test. This is part of a broader crackdown on third-party operators who have been using bots to hoover up thousands of slots, contributing to a black market trade in driving tests.
Driving instructors have reported that this black market has exploded as waiting times across the UK have soared. Many learner drivers have struggled to secure test dates without enduring long waits.
Current Waiting Times
Figures provided to the BBC by the DVSA earlier this week revealed that the national average wait time for a practical driving test in April 2026 in Great Britain was 22.3 weeks. This backlog has prompted urgent action from the agency.
Industry Reaction
Carly Brookfield, chief executive of the Driving Instructors Association, expressed doubt that the changes will fully resolve the issue. "There have been things the agency's done that have been productive to stop the rot of the bots," she told the BBC. "But the reality is we've also got this massive test supply issue that if there's not enough tests going in, people will still not be able to get a test anywhere."
Government Response
Simon Lightwood, the Minister for Roads and Buses, defended the government's actions. "But we're taking action and seeing results, delivering almost two 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," he said.
The DVSA hopes that the new restrictions will help level the playing field for learner drivers and reduce the influence of automated booking systems.
