Starting 12 May, learner drivers will face a major shift in how they book their driving tests. These changes strike directly at the problem of prolonged waiting times—sometimes stretching up to six months—and the rampant reselling of test slots at exorbitant prices.
Exclusive Booking Rights Return to Learners
From this date forward, only the learner driver can book, reschedule, or swap their driving test slots. This new rule bans third parties—including driving instructors—from managing these bookings on behalf of learners.
Previously, many instructors held the power to secure test appointments for their students, but that practice now ends. Importantly, any tests already booked by instructors before 12 May will remain valid and unchanged.
Cracking Down on Test Slot Scalping
A BBC investigation last December uncovered a disturbing scheme where some driving instructors received monthly kickbacks up to £250 for handing over their official test-booking credentials to resellers. These touts exploited the system by bulk-buying test slots and selling them via WhatsApp and Facebook at inflated prices—sometimes charging learners as much as £500 for a single test.
This crackdown aims to restore fairness and transparency, ensuring learner drivers can access test slots at official rates without facing costly markups.
Official Test Fees Remain Standardized
The standard driving test fee will continue at £62 for weekday appointments and £75 during evenings, weekends, and bank holidays. This stability helps learners plan their test bookings without unexpected financial burdens.
