Learner drivers across the UK must now book their own driving tests after a major crackdown on touting and profiteering, with changes taking effect from 12 May. Instructors are no longer allowed to book, change or swap tests on behalf of their students – a practice that previously left the door open to widespread abuse.
A BBC investigation in December revealed that some driving instructors were offered kickbacks of up to £250 a month to hand over their official booking login details to touts. Those touts then used the credentials to bulk-book test slots and resell them on WhatsApp and Facebook, charging desperate learners as much as £500 – compared with the standard £62 fee on weekdays or £75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
“From 12 May, only learner drivers can book their own tests, not instructors, after touts resold slots for up to £500.”
The changes are designed to cut waiting lists of up to six months and prevent slots being hoarded by bots and resellers. From 31 March, learners were already limited to just two changes per booking – down from six – and any change of date, time, test centre, or slot swap counts towards that limit. Changing multiple things at once counts as just one change.
From 9 June, a further restriction comes in: if you want to move your test, you can only reschedule to one of the three test centres closest to your original booking. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) urges learners to book only at a centre they intend to use and to choose a realistic date for when they will be ready.
Tests already booked by instructors remain unaffected, but for new bookings, the learner must supply their instructor’s reference number – which the instructor provides – to ensure they are available on test day. While friends or family can help a learner book and manage the test, the learner must be present throughout and all confirmations must go to the learner’s own email or phone number.
The DVSA says refunds will still be given if a test is cancelled at least 10 working days before the date. Anyone needing more than two changes will have to cancel and book afresh.