The DVSA has warned learner drivers that from today (12 May 2026), it is illegal for anyone to book, change, cancel or swap a driving test on someone else's behalf. This includes driving instructors, friends, and family members.
From Tuesday, driving tests can only be booked and managed by learners themselves, whereas previously instructors also had that power. The move is designed to combat misuse of the booking system, which has made it harder for genuine learners to find test appointments.
Richard Evans, Head of Technical Services at webuyanycar, commented: "The DVSA's new rules are a positive step towards tackling long-standing misuse of the driving test booking system, which has made it harder for genuine learners to find appointments."
He added: "By ensuring only the learner themselves can book or manage a test, the changes should reduce manipulation by third parties and discourage speculative or unrealistic bookings. While learners will need to plan more carefully, the tighter controls are designed to create a fairer system overall, helping test slots go to those who are genuinely ready to take them."
DVSA Chief Executive Welcomes Changes
Beverley Warmington, DVSA's 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."
She continued: "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."
AA Driving School: A Step Forward but Not a Silver Bullet
Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, said: "Learner drivers continue to face unacceptable delays in accessing driving tests. The data clearly shows more needs to be done to really get a handle on the situation and start to push waiting times back."
She acknowledged that Tuesday's changes are "unlikely to be the silver bullet which turns the tide on long waiting times," but they "mark a shift towards overhauling the booking system for the better."
She added: "It is only part of the solution though. To really improve waiting times over a prolonged period, there needs to be unrelenting focus from the DVSA on retaining and recruiting driving test examiners."
Anyone affected by the new DVSA booking rules can find a comprehensive guide detailing what has changed, key dates, and practical implications.
