New driving test rules are being rolled out today that could impact thousands of learner motorists as the DVSA works to crack down on unofficial booking services.
From today, June 9, 2026, restrictions are being introduced that will limit learner drivers to only move their driving test to the three nearest test centres.
Previously, rules stated that motorists could move their driving test to any test centre in the country after they had booked it.
However, this was often exploited by people who resell tests for inflated values, with some learners reportedly paying hundreds of pounds for a test.
If drivers have an existing booking, the new rule will apply to where the test was originally booked on June 9, 2026, rather than where it was first booked.
The DVSA explained that if someone booked a test in St Helens in February with a test date in July, they could make a change in May to alter the location to Watford.
With the new rules launching today, drivers can use their second change to move to the three nearest centres to Watford, namely Borehamwood, Pinner and Mill Hill.
Motorists will only be able to move their test to these test centres, and not back to St Helens like the original booking.
The DVSA has launched new driving test changes today (June 9)
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DVSA/GETTY
Beverley Warmington, chief executive of the DVSA, explained that the agency’s priority is to stop learners being exploited by third parties.
She added that motorists are being put back in control of their driving test and that the process is fairer by clamping down on expensive rescheduled tests.
Ms Warmington continued, saying: “These new measures help bring a halt to a system where the use of bots and third parties increases the amount some learners pay for a test and blocks test availability for many others.
“These measures will help free up appointments for genuine learners who are ready to take their test.”
The DVSA confirmed that driving test changes would be rolling out to crack down on fraudsters | PA
More than 158,000 additional tests have been delivered between June 2025 and March 2026 as the DVSA attempts to reduce waiting times.
This has been supported by the highest number of driving examiner numbers at their highest level since 2018, alongside the deployment of military driving examiners.
This is the latest move from the DVSA to crack down on driving tests being taken by people who are purely booking them to sell at a massively inflated price.
Since March 31, 2026, drivers have been limited to the number of changes they are allowed, falling from six to just two.
The DVSA continues to introduce new rules to help learner drivers when booking tests | PA
May 12 saw restrictions placed on who can book and manage tests, with only the driver able to make changes, taking away the power of their driving instructor.
The DVSA also banned the use of unofficial services to search the booking service for tests, with only the agency’s service being allowed.
Matt Crole-Rees, motoring expert at Confused.com, said: “In the long run, measures like these could help ensure test slots are being used by genuine learners rather than being treated as a commodity to buy and sell for profit.
“However, it does mean learners will have fewer options if they’re looking to switch test centres based on availability or performance.”