Stories

Sat, 16 May 2026

Sat, 16 May 2026 Robert paid £726 to skip the driving test waiting list. New laws mean others won't be able to

The government is cracking down on third parties who use bots to buy tests and resell them at inflated prices.

* Robert Kamugisha, a 21-year-old criminology student, spent £726 on three driving test slots booked through resellers who charged inflated prices.
* The actual cost of taking a driving test is £62.
* New government rules mean only learner drivers can book their own tests, in an effort to crack down on third-party operators using bots to hoover up thousands of slots.
* Robert's instructor encouraged him to use a reseller, but he felt "scammed" after being charged £242 per test and £150 each time to use his instructor's car.
* Driving instructors say the black market trade has exploded as waiting times for driving tests have soared, with some learners facing 22-week waits or more.
* The DVSA says it will divert resources to testing centers that need them most, but critics argue that the new rules will not fix the problem and may even make it harder for learners to get a test.
* Further changes will be introduced in June, allowing learners to swap their driving tests to only three of their local test centers.
* Learners in some areas are still facing cancellations hours before their tests due.