The DVSA is currently trailing changes to the driving test at certain test centres
On 6 May 2025 DVSA will begin a trial to increase the amount of time your pupils spend on higher speed roads, including rural roads, during a driving test.
We will contact learner drivers with a test booked at the trial sites to make them aware about the trial and reassure them that what they need to learn or will be tested on during their test will not change.
Details on the trial
The trial will run for 3 months from 6 May 2025 at 20 driving test centres (DTC) across Great Britain. These are:
Avonmouth, Bishopbriggs, Bolton, Cambridge, Cardiff, Dudley, Halifax, Hendon, Hereford, Hornchurch, Isleworth, Maidstone, Middlesbrough, Musselburgh, Norris Green, Norwich (Peachman Way), Nottingham (Chilwell), Oxford, Portsmouth, Wakefield.
Up to 4 examiners will take part in the trial from each of the DTCs above and will use updated routes that include three changes to the test:
- Reducing the amount of stops during the driving test from four to three. Currently, there are four stops on a driving test, which take place on lower risk roads with lower speed limits.
- Changing the frequency of carrying out an emergency stop (ES) from one in three driving tests to one in seven. Like the controlled stops, ES need to be done in lower speed areas which limits the distance that can be covered on tests. This again impacts on the number of high-speed roads that can be accessed on test.
- Offer the flexibility to increase the time of the independent driving on the sat nav from 20 minutes currently, to the full duration of the test. Increasing the amount of time using a sat nav allows more time for the DE to test independent driving skills.