Wed, 12 Nov 2025

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 Driving test rules to change in bid to stop bots booking slots

The Transport Secretary has announced new measures to tackle the continuing backlog of driving tests.

* Only learner drivers will be able to book driving tests, in an effort to reduce long waiting lists and prevent third-party companies reselling slots at inflated prices.
* The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, admitted that waiting times would not be brought down to 7 weeks by summer 2026, as previously promised. Currently, the average waiting time is over 21 weeks.
* Limits will be placed on the number of times a learner driver can move or swap a test, and where they can move it to once booked.
* 36 examiners from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will be brought in to help reduce the backlog, along with a "retention payment" of £5,000 for driving examiners to stay in their roles.
* The changes are aimed at stopping people being exploited by online bots and third-party companies reselling test slots at high prices.
* The current waiting list is 642,000 learner drivers with a booked test, and the government has been criticized for moving at a "glacial pace" in addressing the issue.
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