The Driving Test is Changing!

🚗 DVSA Driving Test Trial – Summary

🗓️ Trial Start Date & Duration

• Start Date: 6 May 2025

• Duration: 3 months

• Location: 20 test centres across Great Britain

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📍 Test Centres Involved

Avonmouth, Bishopbriggs, Bolton, Cambridge, Cardiff, Dudley, Halifax, Hendon, Hereford, Hornchurch, Isleworth, Maidstone, Middlesbrough, Musselburgh, Norris Green, Norwich (Peachman Way), Nottingham (Chilwell), Oxford, Portsmouth, Wakefield.

🔑 Key Changes Being Trialled

1. More Time on High-Speed & Rural Roads

• Focus on exposing learners to more real-world, higher-risk driving conditions.

• Responds to data showing 48% of young driver casualties occur on rural roads.

2. Reduce Number of Stops

• From 4 stops ➝ 3 stops

• Reason: Stops usually occur in low-speed areas, limiting the use of faster roads.

• Benefit: Frees up time and distance for using rural and higher-speed routes.

3. Emergency Stop (ES) Frequency Reduced

• From 1 in 3 tests ➝ 1 in 7 tests

• Rationale:

  • ESs also require low-speed areas, limiting route variety.

  • Tech advances (e.g., ABS mandatory since 2004) mean ES is less critical.

• Benefit: Increases time available for diverse, realistic road conditions.

4. More Independent Driving via Sat Nav

• Currently: 20 minutes

• Trial allows: Up to full duration of test

• Benefit: Reflects real-world navigation and independent decision-making.

✅ What’s Not Changing

• Test duration remains the same.

• No changes to the skills learners need to be taught or assessed on.

🔎 Monitoring & Feedback

• DVSA will monitor the impact throughout the 3-month trial.

• Learners with tests at trial centres will be notified and reassured.

• DVSA will update instructors and the public on results and next steps after the trial.