A major change to car driving test bookings has come into effect today, as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) introduces a new rule requiring learner drivers to give at least 10 full working days’ notice to change or cancel their test without losing their fee.
Previously, the notice period was just three working days. The DVSA hopes the extended deadline will reduce the number of wasted test appointments and help ease the ongoing backlog in driving test availability across the country.
The change only applies to car driving tests. All other types of tests—including theory tests, motorcycle tests, lorry and bus driving tests, and driving instructor qualification exams—will continue to operate under the three working day cancellation policy.
The definition of a working day remains unchanged: Monday to Saturday counts as a working day, while Sundays and public holidays do not.
The DVSA said the move comes in response to high numbers of learners booking tests before they are ready, then cancelling or not attending with very little notice.
In 2024 alone, around 60,000 test appointments went to waste due to no-shows. That’s equivalent to the yearly output of 45 full-time driving examiners.
By increasing the required notice period, the DVSA hopes to give other learners enough time to make necessary arrangements and take up the freed test slots. This is one of seven actions currently being implemented to reduce waiting times for car driving tests.
Learner drivers will now see their new cancellation or change deadline displayed clearly in their online booking details. The DVSA has also published a guide showing the old and new deadlines for each test date through to the end of June 2025.
Learners who need to cancel or change their test at short notice due to illness, bereavement, exams, or a stolen driving licence will still be able to apply for a refund under the DVSA’s special circumstances policy.
If a test is cancelled by the DVSA with fewer than three full working days’ notice, the agency will continue to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses. A review of this process is currently underway.
The DVSA is also preparing a consultation for later this year that will look at additional ways to cut down on wasted appointments. Proposals may include introducing a penalty fee or increasing the wait time before a new test can be booked if a learner fails to attend their scheduled appointment.
For now, the agency is urging all learners to cancel their test if they know they cannot attend, rather than simply not turning up.
