Learner car drivers are facing tougher rules for their test applications.
From 8 April, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency will require learner drivers to give ten full working days’ notice to change or cancel their car driving test without losing the test fee, excluding Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Currently learner drivers need to give three full working days notice to avoid losing the fee, with Sundays and public holidays not counting. The new rule only applies to car driving tests, whilst all other vehicles as well as theory tests will still only require three days notice to cancel.
The DVSA say a lot of people wait to the last minute to change or cancel their test, so too many appointments are being made available with too short notice for anyone else to take them.
The DVSA hope this change will give learner drivers who are ready to take their test more time to book these appointments and it is part of the seven actions they’re taking to tackle test waiting lists.
According to the government, about 60,000 test appointments were wasted in 2024 because people failed to show up.
The DVSA is urging learners to cancel their tests if they know they won’t be able to make it instead of just not showing up.
Seven changes coming in:
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Recruit and train 450 driving examiners
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Review and improve the rules for booking driving tests
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Introduce tougher terms and conditions for instructors booking tests for their pupils
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Consult on increasing the time before learners can book a further test
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Increase the amount of notice you need to give to change or cancel a test
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Explore changing the 24-week limit on how far ahead tests can be booked
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Encourage leaners to be better prepared for tests through ‘Ready to Pass’ campaign
The DVSA will be emailing all learner drivers to let them know about this change. From April 8, when the changes will be implemented, the new ten-day deadline will be shown when they check the details of their test online.
Learners who’ve had to cancel at short notice due to an illness, bereavement will still be able to apply for a refund however.
