In May DVSA launched a consultation on proposed options to change car driving test booking rules. It’s part of their plan to reduce waiting times and make the system fairer.

So far, about 8,500 driving instructors and driving schools have responded. But, with about 42,000 instructors in Great Britain, they need to hear from more of you.

They want to make sure any changes work as well as possible for as many people as possible.

Understanding consultations

This is a formal consultation. They want to understand how these options would affect different people in different circumstances.

With such a wide range of views and business models across the instructor community, they know it’s impossible to create a solution that perfectly suits everyone.

However, your detailed feedback will help them understand the full implications of each option so they can develop policies that take these impacts into account.

They hear your concerns

They know there’s some scepticism about whether this consultation will lead to genuine change.

They want to reassure you that no decisions have been made yet.

They need your feedback to help them to make the right decision.

What they’re consulting on

As a reminder, they’re consulting on 2 important areas:

1. Who should be allowed to book and manage driving tests

• Option A: Only learner drivers can book and manage tests
• Option B: Both learners and instructors can book, but only learners can make changes
• Option C: Keep the current system

1. How tests can be managed

• Option A: Remove the ability to swap tests or change test locations
• Option B: Limit test swaps and location changes
• Option C: Keep current swapping rules and location change rules

Why your input is crucial

They need to understand how each of these options would affect you. Your practical expertise is invaluable in helping them:

• identify unintended consequences they may have missed
• understand the day-to-day impact of each option
• create a system that works for everyone involved

Whether you book tests or not – they want to hear from you

They need to hear from you, including if you:

• book tests for your pupils – how would these changes affect your business model and the service you provide to learners?
• do not book tests for pupils – how might these changes affect the way you ask pupils to book their test?

Preventing learners from booking when you’re unavailable

The consultation explains that under all proposed options, you would still be able to use their online service to set dates and times when you are unavailable to take pupils for driving tests.                     

This also automatically blocks you out whenever another pupil books a test using your ADI number.

Why they’re not consulting on instructor-only booking

They know some instructors would prefer it if only instructors could book tests. This is not an option they’re looking at.

The reason for this is because the law allows learners to be taught by family or friends. Many choose this route due to cost or instructor availability. Restricting bookings to instructors only would prevent these legally permitted learners from accessing tests.

How to respond

Read the full consultation document carefully before having your say.

The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 23 July 2025.

Start now

Your experience and expertise are essential to creating a system that works for everyone. They are committed to working together to improve the learning and testing experience.