The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is introducing some important changes to the test – specifically how you manage your booking. From 8 April, you will need to give 10 full working days’ notice if you want to change or cancel your car-based practical driving test free of charge.

At the moment, you are able to give three full working days’ notice to ensure you don’t lose your test fee (£62) – do bear in mind that Saturdays are counted as full working days while Sundays and public holidays are not.

The new rule change won’t affect the theory test or other forms of vehicle tests – think motorcycle, lorry or buses – or instructor qualification tests.

Why the change?

It’s simple – too many people are waiting until the last moment to make a change or cancel their test. This means potential replacement candidates may not have enough time to make the necessary arrangements to use the newly-available slot – even if they want to.

Remember, the average minimum waiting time for a test in the UK is currently 28 weeks so it’s obvious why the DVSA wants to get access to as many additional slots as possible.

“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.”

• DVSA

Exceptions to rules

If you do need to change or cancel test within the 10-day period, the DVSA will still let you cancel at short notice for free under special circumstances. These include:

  • an illness or injury that means you cannot take your test
  • suffering a bereavement
  • taking an exam at a school or college
  • had your driving licence stolen.

If you do cancel your test for any of the above reasons at the last moment, the DVSA will still refund your fee.

Show up!

The issue of limited slots is being made worse by leaners simply not bothering to turn up on the big day. According to the DVSA, some 60,0000 test appointments had to be canned because of no-shows in 2024.

As the agency points out, “that’s the same number of tests that 45 full-time driving examiners can do in a year.”

So frustrated is the agency with the issue that it’s considering taking action against learners who do waste their test slot. This could include the amount of time you would have to wait before you can book another test – it’s currently 10 days – and even charging you a penalty fee if you fail to turn up (unless you have a legitimate reason).

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