Top News

The DVSA has been called out after introducing new driving rules from May 12 that a top expert claims will not solve the "root problem". New driving laws, which came into effect from Tuesday, have changed who can book driving tests in a major shake-up of testing rules.

Under the tweaks, learners must book tests themselves, with driving instructors now banned from booking tests for their students. The DVSA stressed the updates were aimed at targeting bots and third-party sellers from exploiting learner drivers.

However, ManMohan Sodhi, Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management at Bayes Business School stressed that problems with driving test bottlenecks go beyond simply the touting of slots.

Professor Sodhi said: "The DVSA's new measures to curtail unauthorised sales of driving test slots do not address the root problem of shortages. Removing the backlog now should be more about mobility, employment and car purchases than the touting of slots.

He added: "Delays in getting a licence can further limit access to jobs and even education, particularly in rural places with less access to public transport where driving is essential. The result is a widening urban-rural divide, with reduced mobility and economic opportunity giving younger people in rural areas yet another reason to migrate to cities.

"For the car market, fewer newly licenced drivers can only lead to a reduction in first-time car buyers. But that's on top of other uncertainties for an industry already navigating difficulties in the UK."

The DVSA claims that the new test rules will make it fairer for learner drivers when booking and managing their driving assessment. They explained that third parties were taking advantage of learner drivers by abusing the driving test booking system and charging excessive fees.

Beverley Warmington, DVSA's Chief Executive, stressed the DVSA was committed to clamping down on businesses that resell tests at inflated prices. The changes are part of a series of changes being implemented by the DVSA in 2026 in a bid to cut the waiting list on tests.

Officials have claimed they have delivered 158,000 additional tests between June 2025 and March 2026. However, Professor Sodhi stressed that the DVSA should instead be focusing on massively expanding the number of tests available by taking advantage of private instructors.

Professor Sodhi said: "A genuine solution would be to greatly expand licensing, by using private driving instructors to issue certificates of competence that the DVSA can then use to issue licences.

"To keep the system honest, the DVSA could test only, say, a tenth of applicants, and strike off driving instructors with poor records."