DVSA announces major driving test changes

The DVSA has confirmed that 3 major changes will be made to driving tests across the UK from next week.

In April 2025, the DVSA launched a trial of these changes in 20 test centres around the country. The initial 3-month trial was extended by 2 months and it's now been decided that the changes are successful enough to roll out nationwide.

Reducing the amount of stops during a test

At the moment, a driving test will always include a minimum of four stops. These stops must take place on lower-risk roads.

The more stops a learner must take, the more time is taken to find these areas. This also decreases the distance that be covered during your driving test.

In the new changes, the amount of stops required will be reduced to a new minimum of three stops.

Fewer emergency stops

Currently, 1 in 3 driving tests will require the learner driver to make an emergency stop. Under the new changes, this is being reduced to 1 in 7 driving tests.

Similarly to regular stops, emergency stops can only be carried out on low-risk roads with a lower speed limit. This limits the route you can take and makes the test less representative of real-world driving.

"By reducing the number of stops and emergency stop exercises, the test feels more like a genuine drive, helping learners stay focused and relaxed," said a DVSA official.

More independent driving

The final change being made to UK driving tests is that the 'independent driving' section of the test can now be extended by the driving test examiner.

Current rules enforce 20 minutes of every driving test to be spent on independent driving. This is when a learner driver follows a sat nav, traffic signs or both with no directions from the examiner.

According to the DVSA, more time spent on independent driving will "[give] learners more time to demonstrate their ability to follow directions independently, just like they would after passing their test."

Why are these changes being made?

The DVSA say that these changes have "helped create test routes that venture into more high-speed and high-risk areas – where location allows – and has given learners the opportunity to face a broader range of driving scenarios."

The new rules will apply to all driving test centres in the UK from 24th November 2025.