The DVSA has confirmed major changes to the way driving tests will be booked in a move that could impact thousands of motorists.
From May 12, only learner drivers themselves will be allowed to book or manage a car driving test, as the DVSA aims to crack down on misuse cases.
The changes mean unofficial test booking services, some driving instructors, or websites offering "cancellation finder" services will no longer be able to act on behalf of learners.
Under the new measures, learner drivers who need extra support will still be able to book tests by calling DVSA's customer service centre.
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In another update, the DVSA stated that from June 9, learners will only be able to move a booked test to one of the three nearest driving test centres.
The location restriction has been designed to prevent people booking tests in "far-off" centres where drivers have no intention of taking them.
Roads and Buses Minister Simon Lightwood said: "Learning to drive is hard enough without an unfair booking system. Learners deserve clear, honest access to tests - not being ripped off by third-party sites.
"These changes put learners back in control, stop the system from being gamed, and help make sure tests go to those who really need them.
The DVSA has confirmed a series of driving test changes coming in over the next few months
| GETTY"I welcome DVSA's action to make things fairer and support learners on their journey to becoming safe, confident drivers."
Meanwhile, Beverley Warmington, the DVSA's new chief executive, explained how the agency has listened to the industry on how to make booking rules "fairer".
"Our priority is to stop learners being exploited and put them in control of booking their driving test," she said.
The DVSA previously announced that, from March 31, the number of changes a learner can make to a test booking will be reduced from six to two.
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The driving test backlog has impacted thousands of people who are still waiting for a practical driving test
| PAThese measures follow a nationwide consultation on improving the booking system, aimed at making it fairer and more transparent.
Ms Warmington, who was appointed in December last year to tackle the driving test crisis, said the changes announced today will help achieve the DVSA goal of having more than 149,000 additional tests.
The changes also aim to disrupt third-party services from being able to profit from reselling driving tests and to create a level playing field for learners.
Once the new rules come into effect, learners will only be required to pay the official DVSA fee of £62 on weekdays for practical tests and £75 for evenings, weekends, and bank holiday slots.
New driving test measures are being introduced at the end of March and again in May and June
| PAPosting on X, the DVSA shared: "We're taking action to make booking car driving tests fairer. We're giving learners control and fighting exploitation."
Driving instructors and driving schools will still play a key role in helping learners, advising them on when they are ready for a test and helping to navigate the booking process.
The DVSA's consultation received over 100,000 responses, with 72 per cent being from learner drivers, while 7.7 per cent were parents or guardians, and 9.9 per cent were approved driving instructors or trainee instructors.
The responses found that around 70 per cent agreed with the proposal to limit bookings to learners only, while 42 per cent supported restricting the number of swaps or changes a learner can make.