The management of the current driving test has some serious issues. For example, the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have a caused a huge backlog for securing a driving test with some learners facing a 10-month wait – unless they’re prepared to travel a significant distance to get their test elsewhere.

Insurer Marmalade’s latest research also reveals that over eight million learners could be caught up in the driving test waiting game over the course of 2022 and 2023 as demand continues to outstrip supply.

Finding a way forward

The backlog problem and other issues mean action needs to be taken. This might explain why the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has launched an official consultation that details six proposed changes focusing on how the driving test is booked, cancelled and taken. Here are the details:

1. Encouraging you to be better prepared for your test

You can currently book a new test after 10 working days if you fail your initial test. The DVSA now wants to increase the waiting time to 28 working days. This will reduce the number of learners attempting a test when they’re not ready as they’ll be discouraged by the extended wait. It will also give learners more time to train for their retest.

2. Reducing the number of driving test appointments that are wasted

Instead of being able to move or cancel your booked test at least three working days before the big day, it is proposed you’d only be change it at least 10 days in advance. This will make it easier for your cancelled test to be given to someone else. The DVSA estimates this could create up to 117,000 more appointments a year.

3. Collecting better data about how well your instructor preparing you

The DVSA wants driving instructors to be legally required to display their registration certificate in their windscreen when they bring you to your driving test.

Apparently, this will encourage instructors to only bring learners to a driving test who they believe are good enough to pass. If they bring students who continually fail, the certificate will help examiners identify an instructor who may require a ‘standards check’, i.e., the instructor is monitored by an examiner during a lesson to assess their capabilities.

4. Giving you better information about driving instructors

The DVSA wants to help you, your family and your friends source better information about a prospective driving instructor. To achieve this, the agency is considering making more info available about the potential instructor’s performance so you can see at a glance how successful they are at helping learners pass the test.

5. Updating when and how your eyesight is checked at the start of the test

Currently your eyesight is tested in ‘good daylight’ by asking you to read a number plate from up to 20.5 metres away (depending on the style of number plate). The DVSA is proposing the eyesight check should be carried out in different levels of light and using different methods, i.e., reading from a tablet’s screen.

6. Replacing your paper pass certificate with a digital pass certificate

A simple change that will not only stop the the use of over two million sheets of paper each year but also support work to introduce a digital driving licence.

Take part now

While the six proposals are only at the consultation phase at the moment, we wouldn’t be surprised if most of the above go on to become official changes. After all, a consultation was also used to update the new Highway Code that goes live tomorrow.

The consultation has already started and will close on 8 March. To offer your opinions on the six proposals, head here to fill in the online questionnaire.

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Man with laptop photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

Learner and instructor photo by Bas Peperzak on Unsplash