Brits have new driving test rules with three restrictions to tackle 600,000 driver backlog
British driving test rules have undergone a major change in a bid to reduce the enormous backlog that has built up.
More than 600,000 learner drivers have been left waiting for a long time to try to book their test.
Last year, military driving instructors were drafted in to conduct civilian tests as one measure to try to cut waiting lists.
Some people were left taking desperate measures and travelling the length of the UK to find a test centre with availability.
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The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) first started making changes in March in an attempt to cut the waiting list, and said the new restrictions are being put in place 'in order to make the process fairer'.
The new driving test restrictions are being introduced as of this week.
Only the learner driver can book the test
One of the biggest changes is that from Tuesday (12 May), only the individual learning to drive can book and manage their driving test.
Until now, some driving instructors were booking tests for their students, with some unscrupulous companies using bots or automated systems to block book tests as soon as they became available and even charging people for the slots. It is now against the law for instructors to manage bookings for their students.
Learners will now have to make or manage bookings on the government website.
The DVSA has said that student can be helped by a friend, family member, or other supporter, but the person assisting them must be with them at the time the booking is made.
Maximum of two changes
One of the first restrictions was introduced back in March.
It states that student drivers learners are now only allowed to make two changes to their test bookings.
After the two changes, they will now have to cancel the booking outright if any other alterations are wanted.
The changes include amending the time or date of the test, changing the location of the test or choosing another test centre, or swapping your appointment with another learner driver who also already has a test booked.
Local test centres
From June 9, learners will only be able to move their test to local test centres.
A new restriction means they will only be able to choose from their three nearest locations.
It comes after some people were forced to travel many hours away from home to try to secure a test.
Average wait
According to Sky News, last year the National Audit Office (NAO) said average wait from booking to test was nearly six months across the UK.
They also found that 31 percent of DVSA survey respondents had resorted to paying a third-party reseller of test slots out of desperation, or used an automated test slot cancellation checker service.
Some people had splashed out almost £500 to these third parties, which NAO said is a 'significantly higher price than DVSA's standard weekday test fee of £62'.
These new restrictions only apply to car driving tests and are not in effect in Northern Ireland.
Jen Thomas