Driving test changes will force learners to wait longer for resits

Changes to the practical driving test will see learners who fail forced to wait longer before booking a retest, under new proposals.

The proposed changes will also extend the notice period for cancelling a test as part of efforts to make learners consider if they are really ready to sit their test.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has launched a consultation on the changes as it continues to struggle with a huge backlog of driving tests.

The first lockdown in 2020 saw more than 400,000 practical tests being cancelled, which was made even worse by subsequent lockdowns and Covid safety rules which limited the number of tests each centre could carry out each day. .

Demand for test slots still exceeds the available appointments and some learners are waiting months to secure a test.

The DVSA says that the proposed measures would free up more slots for drivers ready to sit the test while also encouraging learners to consider whether they are really ready to sit the test.

Pass rates over the last five years have been 47%, and the DVSA says this suggests more than half of learners are simply not ready to take their test when it comes around.

To deter learners booking a test too early and then simply rebooking as soon as possible after failing, the agency plans to extend the period learners have to wait before booking a new test appointment.

Learners currently have to wait 10 days before booking another test but the proposals would extend this to 28 days to discourage unprepared learners from gambling on being able to repeat the test quickly if they fail. The DVSA says it will also give learners who fail more time to brush up on their skills before attempting a resit.

The changes would also see the notice period required to cancel a test extended. Learners can currently cancel a test and receive a refund up to three days before their appointment. The proposals would extend this notice period so that any cancellation up to 10 days in advance will result in a lost fee.