Tough new rules from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have kicked in from today, 8 April 2025, in a crackdown on last-minute driving test cancellations that leave other learners in the lurch.
Under the changes, learner drivers who want to change or cancel their car driving test without forfeiting the fee will have to give 10 full working days’ notice – a significant increase from the current three days. The move aims to tackle the problem of people cancelling at the eleventh hour after realising they’re not ready to take the test.
The DVSA says the current system has led to a massive backlog, exacerbated by the Covid pandemic, and means people on the waiting list miss out on slots that can’t be reassigned at short notice. While Mondays to Saturdays count as working days, Sundays and public holidays don’t.
However, the new rule only applies to car driving tests, with other types of driving tests and theory tests still requiring just three full working days’ notice to change or cancel.
The DVSA explained the reason behind the change, saying: “Lots of people who are not ready to take their driving test leave it until the last moment to change or cancel it. That appointment then becomes available to other learner drivers. But as it’s so close to the test date, it can be hard for people who are ready to pass to make all the necessary arrangements to use the appointment.”, reports Teesside Live.
“This can lead to appointments going unused. By asking learner drivers to give more notice, it should give other people more chance to use the appointment. This will help to reduce driving test waiting times. The change to the rule is one of 7 actions DVSA is taking to reduce driving test waiting times.”
DVSA is emailing all learner drivers to inform them of the new deadline to change or cancel their test without forfeiting the fee. From 8 April 2025, the new deadline will be displayed on the booking details when you check your driving test appointment details.
To assist learner drivers and driving instructors with this rule change, DVSA has published a list of old and new deadlines to change or cancel a car driving test up to the end of June 2025.
If you have to change or cancel your test due to special circumstances.
You will still be able to apply for a refund if you need to change or cancel your test at short notice if you have:
You will still be able to apply for a refund if you have to change or cancel your test at short notice if you have:
If DVSA cancels your driving test at short notice.
DVSA will continue to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses for any car driving tests it cancels with fewer than 3 full working days’ notice while it conducts a review of its out-of-pocket expenses process. Learner drivers urged to cancel tests if they cannot attend.
DVSA is urging learner drivers to cancel their driving test if they cannot attend, rather than simply not showing up.
In 2024, a staggering 60,000 driving test appointments were squandered due to no-shows. To put that into perspective, that’s the equivalent of a year’s work for 45 full-time driving examiners.
Later this year, the DVSA is set to launch a consultation on proposals aimed at slashing the number of these wasted tests. This includes measures for those who fail to show up:
Currently, learner drivers have to twiddle their thumbs for 10 working days before they can book another test. The upcoming consultation will lay out all the potential options in detail.
This move is just one of seven actions the DVSA has outlined to cut down on driving test waiting times.
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