From 6 May 2025, the DVSA is running a 3-month trial at 20 driving test centres (DTCs) across Great Britain. The aim is to evaluate potential changes to how the practical driving test is delivered, particularly focusing on test route design and time efficiency.

Where Is the Trial Taking Place?

The trial is taking place at the following 20 DTCs:

Avonmouth, Bishopbriggs, Bolton, Cambridge, Cardiff, Dudley, Halifax, Hendon, Hereford, Hornchurch, Isleworth, Maidstone, Middlesbrough, Musselburgh, Norris Green, Norwich (Peachman Way), Nottingham (Chilwell), Oxford, Portsmouth, Wakefield.

At each of these centres, up to four examiners will be participating in the trial. They will use updated test routes and trial three main changes to the driving test format.

The 3 Changes Being Trialled

1. Reducing the Number of Stops During the Test

• Current tests include four stops, typically on low-speed, low-risk roads.
• The trial reduces this to three stops per test.
• This change is intended to:
  • Allow test routes to cover more high-speed roads, including rural areas.
  • Increase flexibility and variety in route planning.
  • Reduce the need to search for multiple suitable stopping zones, which currently limits route range.

2. Reducing the Frequency of the Emergency Stop Exercise

• Currently, one in three tests includes an emergency stop.
• Under the trial, this will reduce to one in seven.
• This change is based on:
  • The challenge of finding suitable low-speed locations for an emergency stop exercises.
  • A desire to allow more of the test to focus on real-world, high-speed driving situations.
  • The fact that vehicle technology has changed significantly:
    • ABS (Anti-lock Braking Systems) became mandatory in 2004, reducing the need for traditional emergency stop emphasis.
    • The emergency stop frequency has not changed since 1999, despite advances in vehicle safety.

3. Increased Use of Sat Nav for Independent Driving

• Currently, 20 minutes of the test is allocated to independent driving using a sat nav.
• The trial allows for up to the full duration of the test to be conducted using sat nav-led independent driving.
• This aims to:
  • Test a wider range of real-life decision-making scenarios.
  • Better reflect modern driving conditions.
  • Allow examiners to assess navigation, route planning, and multi-tasking skills under pressure.

What’s the DVSA Hoping to Learn?

The trial is designed to explore:

• Whether shortening admin-heavy parts of the test allows for more effective time use.
• If test routes can become more varied and representative of real-world driving.
• Whether these changes can support more efficient use of examiner time, potentially helping reduce waiting lists in the long term.

Final Word

This trial might sound small on paper, but it could signal bigger structural changes to the test in future. If it proves “efficient,” national rollout is likely.

While there are no changes to the content of the test yet, instructors should be prepared for a shift in how tests are delivered, what skills are prioritised, and how learners are prepared.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on feedback from these trial centres — and sharing what ADIs and PDIs really think as the picture becomes clearer.