The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is set for a significant digital overhaul, with new rules for its online driving test booking service coming into force from spring 2026. The update follows intense scrutiny from MPs over the government's reliance on outdated technology.
MPs Grill Officials on Outdated 'Legacy Systems'
The state of the driving test booking system was a key topic during a Public Accounts Committee hearing in Parliament on 15 January 2026. Committee chair Geoffrey Clifton-Brown raised serious concerns about 'legacy systems' – antiquated software and processes that require constant 'patching' to keep them running.
In a stark warning, he stated these old systems "make it more difficult to root out fraud and error because they are not AI compatible." He demanded to know what was being done to modernise the government's digital infrastructure.
Emran Mian, the Permanent Secretary at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, responded directly. He confirmed the driving test booking service was a prime example of the challenges posed by legacy technology.
Investment Needed to Fix the Booking Service
Mr Mian explained that the Department for Transport (DfT), which oversees the DVSA, is now examining the booking system as part of its investment plans to improve the service. He admitted that when budgets for data and digital projects are tight, investment in updating these core legacy systems is often the first thing to be cut.
"What departments will often then do is invest in the data and digital that deals with the service issue that is present there and then, rather than dealing with the legacy system," he said. To combat this, his department is working closely with others, including the DfT, to ensure they prioritise and fund these essential upgrades.
What the New Driving Test Booking Rules Mean for You
From spring 2026, the way learners book and manage their practical driving tests will change. The new regulations are designed to streamline the process and improve fairness.
The key changes include:
- Only learner drivers will be able to book a test. Driving instructors will no longer have this ability.
- Learners will be limited to making only two changes to their booked test appointment.
- If changing the test centre, learners will only be permitted to switch to a centre close to their original choice.
The DVSA defines a 'change' as any of the following actions:
- Altering the date or time of the test.
- Changing the test centre location.
- Swapping your booked slot with another learner who already has a test.
Currently, the online booking service operates from 6am to 11.40pm, allowing tests to be booked up to 24 weeks in advance. The system uses a virtual queue and there is no official waiting or cancellation list. To secure a slot, learners must provide their provisional licence details, vehicle type, and preferred test centre, date, and time.
These upcoming reforms mark a critical step in modernising a vital public service, aiming to replace creaking old technology with a more robust and efficient system for the nation's learner drivers.
