Driving test rules to change in bid to stop bots booking slots
The Transport Secretary has announced new measures to tackle the continuing backlog of driving tests.
www.bbc.co.ukHere’s the latest on driving test bookings in the UK:
- Key changes are being rolled out in spring 2026. From May 12, only learners will be able to book, modify, or cancel car driving tests themselves; instructors will no longer be able to book tests for learners. This is intended to give learners direct control and reduce exploitative practices [BBC: Dates confirmed for new driving test booking rules].[4]
- From June 9, changes to test locations will be restricted so that a test can only be relocated to one of the three nearest test centers to the original booking. This aims to reduce misuse of slots while keeping options local for learners [BBC: Dates confirmed for new driving test booking rules].[4]
- DVSA notes these changes should help address long waiting times and curb the resale of test slots by third parties or bots. The current standard car test fee remains around £62 (weekday) and £75 (evenings/weekends/bank holidays), with the broader context of a backlog driving waiting times higher than pre-pandemic levels [Independent: DVSA confirms dates for major driving test changes], [BBC: Dates confirmed for new driving test booking rules].[1][4]
- Coverage from late 2025 into early 2026 indicates there has been ongoing discussion and public reporting about the backlog, test volumes, and efforts to recruit more examiners, contributing to improved test availability alongside the booking-system changes [Independent: DVSA confirms dates for major driving test changes].[1]
What this means for you in Santa Monica, CA: These changes pertain to the UK DVSA system. If you’re in California, the driving test process and booking rules are different (state DMV). If you’re planning to drive in the UK or have friends/relatives there, the above rules will affect how car driving tests are booked and managed in that context.
Would you like a quick comparison of UK driving test booking changes versus California DMV booking practices, or a brief checklist for someone preparing for a UK driving test under the new rules?[1][4]