DVSA rolling out major changes today that could impact millions of drivers every year

From today, Monday, November 24, 2025, younger motorists will be able to get used to roads which they are more likely to travel on after they've passed their tests.

The DVSA said the changes aim to boost road safety and accurately represent real road conditions which will be experienced later in life.

The changes, which apply to Great Britain, have been given the green light following a successful five-month trial at 20 driving test centres across the country.

Learner drivers will benefit from more real-life experience, the DVSA said, although the changes will not impact the skills they need to learn for their test.

Edmund King OBE, director of the AA Charitable Trust, said: "Rural roads pose a particular danger to young and novice drivers.

"Our own research has shown young drivers are over-represented in crashes on rural roads, compared to other roads.

"Changes to the driving test to increase the amount of time candidates drive on these roads are important to help reduce this disparity and keep young, novice drivers safe."

The trial tests included learner drivers spending more time on high-speed and high-risk roads and began on May 6 earlier this year.

Results showed that it reduced the overall number of stops from four to three, and decreased the frequency of emergency stops from one in three to just one in seven.

Crucially, it enabled driving examiners to increase the length of independent driving to between 20 minutes and the full duration of the test.

Amanda Lane, head of driver testing and driver training policy at the DVSA, highlighted that high-speed roads, especially in rural areas, present the biggest issues for learner drivers.

She added that the changes were "subtle but meaningful" to better prepare young road users for a "lifetime of safe driving".

The National Associations Strategic Partnership (NASP) supported the improvements, stating that it increases competency and safety, and reduces road traffic accidents.

Almost nine in 10 driving examiners backed the changes and said they wanted the measures to be implemented permanently.

Dan Leverton, academy director at Bill Plant Driving School, said: "Rural roads in particular are a perfect storm of higher speeds, twists and turns, slow-moving vehicles, pedestrians, and 'unexpected' hazards.

"Driving instructors play a key role in preparing pupils for a lifetime of safe driving and will embrace these changes to the driving test which ultimately will reduce casualties and save lives."

This was echoed by Jon Sutcliffe, COO at RED Driver Training, who described the changes as a "progressive step" towards improving safety on roads and preparing motorists for being on the road.

"By increasing the time learner drivers spend on higher speed and rural roads, these changes ensure that new motorists gain valuable real-world experience in some of the most challenging driving environments," Mr Sutcliffe concluded.