DVSA law changes launching today will impact how thousands get driving licences

From today, only learner drivers will be able to book and manage their own driving test as the DVSA looks to crack down on third-party services exploiting those looking to book a test and get their licence.

It is now against the law for third parties to make bookings for someone else, which includes unofficial test booking services and even driving instructors.

Third parties will also be breaking the DVSA's terms and conditions if they change, swap or cancel a driving test for someone else.

The DVSA urged motorists to only ever pay the official fee, which is £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Driving instructors will still be able to give advice to learners when they believe they are ready to take a test, although they will be restricted from booking a test for them.

Instructors will also retain the ability to set available times, preventing learners from booking tests at times that they cannot commit to.

Commenting on the new measures, Beverley Warmington, chief executive of DVSA, said it was the agency's "priority" to stop learners from being exploited by third parties.

She emphasised that learners should be in control of their tests, with the new measures making it fairer by cracking down on actors who hike prices for learners.

Ms Warmington added: "These new measures help bring a halt to a system where the use of bots and third parties increases the amount some learners pay for a test and blocks test availability for many others.

"These measures will help free up appointments for genuine learners who are ready to take their test."

The DVSA has already taken action to reduce waiting times, with more than 158,000 extra tests delivered between June 2025 and March this year.

Driving examiner numbers are also at their highest level since 2018, with military driving examiners also being drafted in to assist with delivering more tests.

Rules were previously introduced by the DVSA on March 31, 2026, to reduce the number of permitted test booking changes from six to just two.

These measures were rolled out following a nationwide consultation on improving booking rules, which received more than 100,000 responses.

Further changes will be rolling out later this year, including on June 9, when learners will be limited to only moving their test to one of the three nearest driving test centres to their original booking.

It aims to prevent learners from booking a test at a location where they have no intention of actually sitting the test.

The DVSA confirmed that it had doubled the training capacity for new driving examiners, allowing them to recruit more people who can lead a test.

As of April 2026, there are more than 1,600 full-time driving examiners, marking the highest level in more than eight years.