New regulations have come into effect in Britain, making it illegal for driving instructors to book practical tests on behalf of their pupils, as average waiting times for such examinations have surged past 22 weeks. From Tuesday, only learner drivers themselves are permitted to schedule and manage their driving tests, a responsibility previously held by instructors.
Curbing Black Market Bookings
This measure is designed to combat the illicit use of automated programs, known as 'bots', which rapidly secure available test slots and resell them at inflated prices. A BBC investigation in December revealed that touts were offering instructors up to £250 per month for access to booking website login credentials. While a standard test costs £62, a National Audit Office (NAO) report published in December found learners paying as much as £500 for a black market slot.
Record Waiting Times
Freedom of information data obtained by AA Driving School indicates that the average waiting time for a practical driving test in England rose from 20.8 weeks in January to 22.4 weeks by April 6. In February 2020, before the coronavirus pandemic, the average wait was just five weeks. The backlog has left many learners frustrated, with some resorting to unofficial channels to secure earlier appointments.
Additional Changes to the System
From June 12, test slot changes will be restricted to the three test centres nearest to the original booking location. This aims to prevent individuals from booking tests at any location without intending to use that slot, then attempting to switch to a more convenient centre later—a practice that makes it difficult for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to plan capacity. Additionally, from March 31, the number of allowable changes per booking was reduced from six to two.
Industry Reaction
Emma Bush, managing director of AA Driving School, commented: "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 noted that Tuesday's changes are "unlikely to be the silver bullet which turns the tide on long waiting times," but acknowledged they "mark a shift towards overhauling the booking system for the better." Bush 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."
The new rules are part of a broader effort by the DVSA to address the testing backlog and ensure fair access to test slots for all learners.
