DVSA cancels 450 driving tests as learners warned amid rule changes

DVSA cancels 450 driving tests as learners warned amid rule changes The DVSA has warned learner drivers to read up on the rules before booking a test The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced that it has cancelled almost 500 driving tests since June 9. This is because these tests were "detected as having been booked in breach of its terms and conditions." It wrote that it "cancelled 450 driving tests booked outside the new rules and placed 4,034 online booking suspensions on the system as part of its commitment for tougher action against misuse." DVSA's latest efforts to create a fairer driving test booking system follow several changes which came into force in spring 2026. This included limits on test amendments, learner-only bookings, and restrictions on driving test locations. The recent rule changes regarding booking aim to protect learner drivers from exploitation. This makes it easier for DVSA to identify where the rules are being broken. Because of this, it is now better able to detect patterns of misuse, including payment cards used to purchase multiple tests for different learners with the DVSA taking action accordingly. Roads and Buses Minister, Simon Lightwood, said: "Learners should be focusing on getting test-ready, not fighting an unfair booking system or paying over the odds to third-party touts. "That's why DVSA's action to cancel dodgy tests is so important. By cancelling tests booked in breach of the rules and suspending access for those attempting to misuse the system, DVSA is sending a clear message that attempts to exploit learner drivers and profit from driving test appointments will not be tolerated. "These new rules are helping to ensure driving tests go to the people who genuinely need them, rather than being snapped up and resold for profit." Beverley Warmington, DVSA Chief Executive, added: "We promised to make the driving test booking system fairer, and we have kept that promise. "These reforms were about making sure that driving tests go to genuine learners, not to those who profit from exploiting them. Today's action demonstrates that we have the tools and the determination to enforce the new rules. "We will keep monitoring, keep acting, and keep the pressure on anyone who tries to circumvent the system." Part of DVSA’s work to prevent booking outside of the rules has included reporting evidence of test reselling on social media and by mobile apps. So far, this work has seen 17 apps removed from popular app stores and social media accounts offering these services shut down. The DVSA is not only taking action against people who misuse the booking system, but also working to ensure that more learner drivers can access test appointments when they are ready. Between June 2025 and May 2026, DVSA delivered more than 240,000 additional driving tests compared with the same period the previous year, supported by the highest number of driving examiners in several years. DVSA driving test changes 2026 DVSA has made a series of changes to the driving test booking system during spring 2026: - March 31: Learner drivers are now limited to 2 changes per booking. - May 12: It is a legal requirement for only the learner driver to book, change, swap or cancel their own car driving test. Use of unofficial apps, bots or automated booking services was prohibited under DVSA's terms and conditions. - June 9: Learners may only move their test to one of the 3 nearest driving test centres to where their test is currently booked. For new bookings made from 9 June, the 3 nearest centres are calculated from the test centre originally booked. For existing bookings, the rule applies to wherever the test was booked on 9 June — not the original booking location. The motoring and driving test experts stress that unofficial apps and booking services can pose significant risks. By sharing personal data with them, learners may lose control over how that information is handled. Where DVSA finds evidence of a breach of its terms and conditions or the law, it may: - Contact the learner to confirm booking details or request further information - Issue a warning notice - Restrict the learner's ability to book or manage their test online - Cancel the booking - Consider legal action where the law has been broken DVSA state that every learner affected was told why their test had been cancelled. They received a full refund to the payment method originally used and were asked to call DVSA to arrange a new booking. Full guidance is available here.