DVSA update: New terms and conditions for OBS come into force

New tougher terms and conditions (T&Cs) for the online business service (OBS) come into force today (6 January). 

If you have not already done so, you must accept them through your OBS account to continue to use the service.

The tougher T&Cs are part of a plan set out by DVSA to reduce driving test waiting times and explore what action can be taken against those exploiting learners and the service. You can read the full plan on GOV.UK.

DVSA know that the majority of OBS users use the system within the current T&Cs, so strengthening them will not affect the way you use the service. They are designed to target those who are using the service to exploit learner drivers.

What are the changes?

The changes included in the tougher set of T&Cs are:

• only driving instructors or businesses that employ driving instructors can use the service to book car driving tests.
• approved driving instructors (ADI) must not book driving tests on behalf of learner drivers they are not teaching.
• users of the system cannot book tests using a learner’s detail that they have no intention of that learner driver ever using.

Now that the new terms and conditions are in place, DVSA will continue to monitor user behaviour. If any users are identified as breaking the rules for using the system, DVSA will:

• issue them with a warning notice
• suspend their account
• close their account

If you have any questions about the changes to the T&Cs you can contact customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk.