Waiting time data for the driving test centres, as listed in Answer to Question 70415,  within (a) half an hour, (b) an hour and (c) two hours travel of the Gosport peninsula, is now published regularly online. More information on the data now being published and a link to this can be found on GOV.UK.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) does not operate a cancellation service or reserve a proportion of driving test appointments for candidates requiring a resit of their practical driving test. DVSA advises learners to regularly check for new appointments. Test appointments are released on a rolling 24-week basis, and additional appointments are added as soon as they become available.

All learner drivers have their own valid reason for wanting to take their test as soon as they can. Prioritising learners who have not been successful passing their previous practical test over another learner driver would not be fair.

DVSA has published guidance targeted at family and friends of learner drivers, which can be found on GOV.UK at supervise a learner driver. If a learner can access private practice, this might help reduce their learning to drive costs. They can then pick up lessons with their driving instructor prior to their booked test.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) publishes data on car practical test cancellation reasons by month and driving test centre (DTC) on GOV.UK. This data, in report DRT122B, is updated annually and currently shows data to March 2026. The next update is due to be published in June 2027.

The Government set out a comprehensive package of measures in April 2025 to tackle long waiting times across the whole of Great Britain, aiming to deliver around 10,000 additional tests per month. A key step was reintroducing overtime incentives. DVSA conducted 1.99 million tests between April 2025 and March 2026, a record and 8.6% (159,000) higher than the previous year.

DVSA has also made changes to make the booking system fairer, as well as continuing to run national recruitment campaigns for driving examiners (DE) across the country.

DVSA has two permanent test centres in Ayrshire, which are Ayr and Irvine DTCs. Both DTCs also serve a number of outstations across Ayrshire.

A new entrant DE passed their training course last week and will start testing from Ayr this week. DVSA also has a new entrant currently in training for Irvine who, if successful, will join the test centre in October.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) publishes data on car practical test cancellation reasons by month and driving test centre (DTC) on GOV.UK. This data, in report DRT122B, is updated annually and currently shows data to March 2026. The next update is due to be published in June 2027.

The Government set out a comprehensive package of measures in April 2025 to tackle long waiting times across the whole of Great Britain, aiming to deliver around 10,000 additional tests per month. A key step was reintroducing overtime incentives. DVSA conducted 1.99 million tests between April 2025 and March 2026, a record and 8.6% (159,000) higher than the previous year.

DVSA has also made changes to make the booking system fairer, as well as continuing to run national recruitment campaigns for driving examiners (DE) across the country.

DVSA has two permanent test centres in Ayrshire, which are Ayr and Irvine DTCs. Both DTCs also serve a number of outstations across Ayrshire.

A new entrant DE passed their training course last week and will start testing from Ayr this week. DVSA also has a new entrant currently in training for Irvine who, if successful, will join the test centre in October.

The number of tests available to book at any given driving test centre (DTC) is based on the number of driving examiners (DE) available to conduct tests at that DTC.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is committed to providing its customers, in all parts of the country, with the best service possible. DVSA continually reviews its estate, to ensure it represents good value for money and is efficient, and its workforce requirements in response to customer demand and operational need.

As part of this approach, DVSA has continued to run national recruitment campaigns for DEs across the country. These campaigns are intended to address recruitment pressures and improve driving test capacity, particularly in areas with the greatest demand.

The Government set out a comprehensive package of measures in April 2025 to tackle long waiting times, aiming to deliver around 10,000 additional tests per month. A key step was reintroducing overtime incentives. DVSA has also made changes to make the booking system fairer. These are practical steps to increase supply, protect access to tests, and bring waiting times down, across the country.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understand the vast majority of instructors who used the online booking service were doing so legitimately.  Changes to the rules, however, were critical to prevent the reselling of tests at inflated prices. Prior to the changes, DVSA introduced updated terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers used to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils, on 6 January 2025. Between then and 12 May 2026, DVSA issued 418 warnings, 663 suspensions, and closed 1178 business accounts, for misuse of the booking system.

DVSA conducted a full and open consultation in line with the Government’s consultation principles. The overarching principles for Government public consultations have been correctly followed before introducing these changes. Further information about those principles can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA’s priority was to stop the exploitation of learners through the reselling of driving tests at inflated prices. The changes to the booking process are proportionate to achieve this.

The consultation data used to inform the changes has been analytically assured and details of the analysis process used was published in the response to the consultation on GOV.UK.

The De Minimis assessment was conducted in line with the Better Regulation Framework.  This provided a structured approach to decision making by evaluating the potential benefits, risks, and implications of different choices, in line with the better regulation framework guidance. The De Minimis Assessment has been published online and was reviewed by Departmental economists prior to publication.

DVSA is aware that some learners might need help with the online booking process, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning disabilities, and will continue to ensure that the online booking system is accessible and meets government digital accessibility standards, in addition to offering telephone support through the customer service centre.

Although approved driving instructors and other third-parties are no longer permitted to book a test on behalf of a learner driver, they can offer support and guidance to help them with the booking process.

As well as changes to the booking system, DVSA continues to deploy enhanced bot protection to help mitigate automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. However, these applications constantly evolve and change. DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understand the vast majority of instructors who used the online booking service were doing so legitimately.  Changes to the rules, however, were critical to prevent the reselling of tests at inflated prices. Prior to the changes, DVSA introduced updated terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers used to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils, on 6 January 2025. Between then and 12 May 2026, DVSA issued 418 warnings, 663 suspensions, and closed 1178 business accounts, for misuse of the booking system.

DVSA conducted a full and open consultation in line with the Government’s consultation principles. The overarching principles for Government public consultations have been correctly followed before introducing these changes. Further information about those principles can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA’s priority was to stop the exploitation of learners through the reselling of driving tests at inflated prices. The changes to the booking process are proportionate to achieve this.

The consultation data used to inform the changes has been analytically assured and details of the analysis process used was published in the response to the consultation on GOV.UK.

The De Minimis assessment was conducted in line with the Better Regulation Framework.  This provided a structured approach to decision making by evaluating the potential benefits, risks, and implications of different choices, in line with the better regulation framework guidance. The De Minimis Assessment has been published online and was reviewed by Departmental economists prior to publication.

DVSA is aware that some learners might need help with the online booking process, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning disabilities, and will continue to ensure that the online booking system is accessible and meets government digital accessibility standards, in addition to offering telephone support through the customer service centre.

Although approved driving instructors and other third-parties are no longer permitted to book a test on behalf of a learner driver, they can offer support and guidance to help them with the booking process.

As well as changes to the booking system, DVSA continues to deploy enhanced bot protection to help mitigate automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. However, these applications constantly evolve and change. DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understand the vast majority of instructors who used the online booking service were doing so legitimately.  Changes to the rules, however, were critical to prevent the reselling of tests at inflated prices. Prior to the changes, DVSA introduced updated terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers used to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils, on 6 January 2025. Between then and 12 May 2026, DVSA issued 418 warnings, 663 suspensions, and closed 1178 business accounts, for misuse of the booking system.

DVSA conducted a full and open consultation in line with the Government’s consultation principles. The overarching principles for Government public consultations have been correctly followed before introducing these changes. Further information about those principles can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA’s priority was to stop the exploitation of learners through the reselling of driving tests at inflated prices. The changes to the booking process are proportionate to achieve this.

The consultation data used to inform the changes has been analytically assured and details of the analysis process used was published in the response to the consultation on GOV.UK.

The De Minimis assessment was conducted in line with the Better Regulation Framework.  This provided a structured approach to decision making by evaluating the potential benefits, risks, and implications of different choices, in line with the better regulation framework guidance. The De Minimis Assessment has been published online and was reviewed by Departmental economists prior to publication.

DVSA is aware that some learners might need help with the online booking process, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning disabilities, and will continue to ensure that the online booking system is accessible and meets government digital accessibility standards, in addition to offering telephone support through the customer service centre.

Although approved driving instructors and other third-parties are no longer permitted to book a test on behalf of a learner driver, they can offer support and guidance to help them with the booking process.

As well as changes to the booking system, DVSA continues to deploy enhanced bot protection to help mitigate automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. However, these applications constantly evolve and change. DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understand the vast majority of instructors who used the online booking service were doing so legitimately.  Changes to the rules, however, were critical to prevent the reselling of tests at inflated prices. Prior to the changes, DVSA introduced updated terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers used to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils, on 6 January 2025. Between then and 12 May 2026, DVSA issued 418 warnings, 663 suspensions, and closed 1178 business accounts, for misuse of the booking system.

DVSA conducted a full and open consultation in line with the Government’s consultation principles. The overarching principles for Government public consultations have been correctly followed before introducing these changes. Further information about those principles can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA’s priority was to stop the exploitation of learners through the reselling of driving tests at inflated prices. The changes to the booking process are proportionate to achieve this.

The consultation data used to inform the changes has been analytically assured and details of the analysis process used was published in the response to the consultation on GOV.UK.

The De Minimis assessment was conducted in line with the Better Regulation Framework.  This provided a structured approach to decision making by evaluating the potential benefits, risks, and implications of different choices, in line with the better regulation framework guidance. The De Minimis Assessment has been published online and was reviewed by Departmental economists prior to publication.

DVSA is aware that some learners might need help with the online booking process, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning disabilities, and will continue to ensure that the online booking system is accessible and meets government digital accessibility standards, in addition to offering telephone support through the customer service centre.

Although approved driving instructors and other third-parties are no longer permitted to book a test on behalf of a learner driver, they can offer support and guidance to help them with the booking process.

As well as changes to the booking system, DVSA continues to deploy enhanced bot protection to help mitigate automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. However, these applications constantly evolve and change. DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understand the vast majority of instructors who used the online booking service were doing so legitimately.  Changes to the rules, however, were critical to prevent the reselling of tests at inflated prices. Prior to the changes, DVSA introduced updated terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers used to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils, on 6 January 2025. Between then and 12 May 2026, DVSA issued 418 warnings, 663 suspensions, and closed 1178 business accounts, for misuse of the booking system.

DVSA conducted a full and open consultation in line with the Government’s consultation principles. The overarching principles for Government public consultations have been correctly followed before introducing these changes. Further information about those principles can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA’s priority was to stop the exploitation of learners through the reselling of driving tests at inflated prices. The changes to the booking process are proportionate to achieve this.

The consultation data used to inform the changes has been analytically assured and details of the analysis process used was published in the response to the consultation on GOV.UK.

The De Minimis assessment was conducted in line with the Better Regulation Framework.  This provided a structured approach to decision making by evaluating the potential benefits, risks, and implications of different choices, in line with the better regulation framework guidance. The De Minimis Assessment has been published online and was reviewed by Departmental economists prior to publication.

DVSA is aware that some learners might need help with the online booking process, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning disabilities, and will continue to ensure that the online booking system is accessible and meets government digital accessibility standards, in addition to offering telephone support through the customer service centre.

Although approved driving instructors and other third-parties are no longer permitted to book a test on behalf of a learner driver, they can offer support and guidance to help them with the booking process.

As well as changes to the booking system, DVSA continues to deploy enhanced bot protection to help mitigate automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. However, these applications constantly evolve and change. DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understand the vast majority of instructors who used the online booking service were doing so legitimately.  Changes to the rules, however, were critical to prevent the reselling of tests at inflated prices. Prior to the changes, DVSA introduced updated terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers used to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils, on 6 January 2025. Between then and 12 May 2026, DVSA issued 418 warnings, 663 suspensions, and closed 1178 business accounts, for misuse of the booking system.

DVSA conducted a full and open consultation in line with the Government’s consultation principles. The overarching principles for Government public consultations have been correctly followed before introducing these changes. Further information about those principles can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA’s priority was to stop the exploitation of learners through the reselling of driving tests at inflated prices. The changes to the booking process are proportionate to achieve this.

The consultation data used to inform the changes has been analytically assured and details of the analysis process used was published in the response to the consultation on GOV.UK.

The De Minimis assessment was conducted in line with the Better Regulation Framework.  This provided a structured approach to decision making by evaluating the potential benefits, risks, and implications of different choices, in line with the better regulation framework guidance. The De Minimis Assessment has been published online and was reviewed by Departmental economists prior to publication.

DVSA is aware that some learners might need help with the online booking process, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning disabilities, and will continue to ensure that the online booking system is accessible and meets government digital accessibility standards, in addition to offering telephone support through the customer service centre.

Although approved driving instructors and other third-parties are no longer permitted to book a test on behalf of a learner driver, they can offer support and guidance to help them with the booking process.

As well as changes to the booking system, DVSA continues to deploy enhanced bot protection to help mitigate automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. However, these applications constantly evolve and change. DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has now published more detailed data-sets so learners can get better understanding of the booking system. More information and waiting time data, including for driving test centres (DTC) that serve Portsmouth, Lee-on-the-Solent, can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA recognises the importance of timely access to practical driving tests for learner drivers across the country, and the role this plays in supporting employment, education, and mobility.

The Government set out a comprehensive package of measures in April 2025 to tackle long waiting times, aiming to deliver around 10,000 additional tests per month. DVSA conducted 1.99 million tests between April 2025 and March 2026, a record and 8.6% (159,000) higher than the previous year.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) understand the vast majority of instructors who used the online booking service were doing so legitimately.  Changes to the rules, however, were critical to prevent the reselling of tests at inflated prices. Prior to the changes, DVSA introduced updated terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers used to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils, on 6 January 2025. Between then and 12 May 2026, DVSA issued 418 warnings, 663 suspensions, and closed 1178 business accounts, for misuse of the booking system.

DVSA conducted a full and open consultation in line with the Government’s consultation principles. The overarching principles for Government public consultations have been correctly followed before introducing these changes. Further information about those principles can be found on GOV.UK.

DVSA’s priority was to stop the exploitation of learners through the reselling of driving tests at inflated prices. The changes to the booking process are proportionate to achieve this.

The consultation data used to inform the changes has been analytically assured and details of the analysis process used was published in the response to the consultation on GOV.UK.

The De Minimis assessment was conducted in line with the Better Regulation Framework.  This provided a structured approach to decision making by evaluating the potential benefits, risks, and implications of different choices, in line with the better regulation framework guidance. The De Minimis Assessment has been published online and was reviewed by Departmental economists prior to publication.

DVSA is aware that some learners might need help with the online booking process, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning disabilities, and will continue to ensure that the online booking system is accessible and meets government digital accessibility standards, in addition to offering telephone support through the customer service centre.

Although approved driving instructors and other third-parties are no longer permitted to book a test on behalf of a learner driver, they can offer support and guidance to help them with the booking process.

As well as changes to the booking system, DVSA continues to deploy enhanced bot protection to help mitigate automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. However, these applications constantly evolve and change. DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.