The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced a significant new rule for driving tests, set to take effect this April, as part of its efforts to help more drivers get on the road.

Starting April 8, learners must provide at least 10 full working days’ notice if they wish to reschedule or cancel their car driving test without forfeiting the test fee. This marks an increase from the current requirement of just three days.

According to the DVSA, this change aims to prevent test slots from going unused. When a test is canceled, the spot becomes available for others. However, many candidates who aren’t ready tend to delay their decision to reschedule until the last minute. With only three days' notice, these slots often go unfilled.

The DVSA stated that extending the required notice period will increase the chances of others securing a test appointment, ultimately helping to reduce waiting times.

To ensure all learner drivers are aware of the change, the DVSA will send out email notifications. The agency clarified that only a few exceptional circumstances—such as illness, bereavement, or an academic exam—will allow for rescheduling with less than 10 days’ notice.

The DVSA also reiterated its request for learners to cancel their tests in advance if they are unable to attend, rather than failing to show up. This not only prevents the loss of the £62 test fee but also helps free up appointments for others. In 2024, approximately 60,000 tests went unused due to no-shows—equivalent to the workload of 45 full-time examiners over an entire year.

This policy change is part of a broader seven-step plan introduced in January to improve the driving test system. As part of this initiative, the DVSA plans to recruit 450 additional examiners to increase test availability.

Other measures include overhauling the booking system used by driving instructors to open up more test slots and launching a review to prevent third-party resellers from bulk-purchasing test appointments at inflated prices.

Additionally, the agency is considering increasing the wait time before candidates can retake their test under specific conditions. These include accumulating multiple serious faults, verbally or physically assaulting an examiner, or failing to attend a scheduled test without notifying the DVSA. The agency is also exploring the possibility of introducing fines for no-shows to further discourage missed appointments.

Announcing the plan, Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, highlighted the challenges caused by long wait times, stating: “Passing your driving test is a life-changing moment, but excessive waiting times in recent years have made it difficult for many.”

She emphasized that no one should have to wait six months, travel across the country, or pay unfair fees due to test shortages. While acknowledging the significant backlog inherited by the government, Greenwood described the new measures as a crucial step toward reducing wait times, protecting learners from exploitation, and making the process more efficient.

The impact of test delays has been widely felt, with a parliamentary debate in October highlighting how aspiring professionals, including trainee paramedics and a future police officer, have been affected. Labour MP Kevin McKenna shared the story of a constituent whose daughter, eager to join the police force, was unable to start her job because she needed a driving license. The only available test she could find was in Birmingham—150 miles from her home in Kent—demonstrating the ongoing struggle many face in securing a timely appointment.