The final stage of the new rules for booking and managing a driving test were introduced by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency last week.
It follows two changes earlier this year: a cap of two date changes per test and a rule that only the learner themselves can book, change or cancel a car test – with unofficial services to search for tests no longer allowed.
The final change surrounds where a test can be moved, with it no longer possible to rebook a test for any centre in the UK. Instead, it will only be possible to now move a test once booked to one of the three nearest test centres
The new rules are designed to stop drivers booking quieter centres only to switch to one nearer home when a sooner date becomes available, and to stop third-party resellers harvesting slots and selling them on at inflated prices.
And it seems that many are researching the new rules, with search data analysed by Vertu showing ‘driving test new rules’ increasing by 19% and ‘how to change driving test centre’ rising by 27% over the past three months.
Matt Salisbury, Senior PR Lead at Vertu, explained what the change means for learner drivers.
He said, “The June rule is the last step in a broader plan. Earlier changes already stopped bots and third parties from booking on a learner’s behalf, so this one is really aimed at individuals who might be tempted to book a distant centre and pull the test closer once a slot is secured. From Tuesday, that route is effectively closed.
“The learner drivers who need to consider this in particular are anyone moving in the next few months. Students starting university, learners relocating for work, or anyone moving in with a partner. The three-centre limit is calculated from where your test is currently booked, not where you live, so if you book before you move, your new local centre may not be one of the three you can switch to.
“So, if a move is on the cards, it is usually better to wait until you are settled before booking. If you have already booked and a move is now confirmed, check whether your nearest new centre falls within the three closest to your existing booking before you assume you can switch.
“For most learners booking sensibly in their own area, the day-to-day impact is small. You can still book at any test centre. The restriction only kicks in if you later try to move the test somewhere much further away. The bigger point is that passing first time has always come down to preparation: practising on a wide variety of roads, making your observations obvious to the examiner, and managing your nerves on the day.”
