The DITC have received a reply to their open letter to DVSA CEO Loveday Ryder regarding concerns over the DVSA Consultation.

If you haven’t seen or responded to the consultation it is available here. It closes at 11:59pm on 23 July 2025.

To view The DITC feedback click here.

Chris Bensted’s views are explained here.

And the ADINJC share their views here

The original open letter can be read on the DITC website here

Finally, Loveday’s response is below, what is your opinion? Responses on Facebook and Instagram

“16 June 2025

Dear Mr Bensted and Mr Brett     

Thank you for your letter of 4 June, about our recent consultation on proposed changes to the driving test booking system.  

I can assure you both that we have been working tirelessly to bring down the driving test waiting times. I do understand the impact this is having on both learner drivers and approved driving instructors (ADI). Our goal is to make booking a driving test easier and fairer for everyone while preventing excessive charges for learner drivers. 

As part of the 7-point plan we announced in December 2024, we recognised that we need to take action to fix the driving test booking system and get new drivers on the road. We held a call for evidence to collect data and information from customers on how they use the booking system. We received almost 27,000 responses. 

From 8 April 2025, learner drivers who want to change or cancel their car driving test without forfeiting the fee will have to give ten full working days’ notice. The move aims to tackle the problem of people cancelling at the last minute so candidates do not miss out on slots that are unable to be reassigned at short notice. More information about this can be found on GOV.UK: New rule for driving test changes and cancellations to reduce waiting times 

Following on from the call for evidence and the information received, on 28 May, we launched a public consultation on improving the rules for booking car driving tests. Candidates can read through the options and respond to the consultation on GOV.UK: Changes to car driving test booking rules. The consultation will close at 23:59 on 23 July 2025. I am pleased to hear you have offered your views by responding to the consultation. 

We are working hard to prevent the reselling of driving tests. I would like to assure you that we are not shifting the blame for the availability of practical driving tests and the outcome of the consultation is not predetermined. The availability of practical driving tests can be attributed to a number of factors, including high demand, limited resources, the impact of COVID-19, seasonal variations and challenges with the booking system. 

Some businesses typically book a test using a learner’s provisional licence details and then later finding another learner who will pay extra for that test. They then use the swap feature to transfer the test to the paying learner. 

  

We have also seen an increase in learners or businesses booking tests as a placeholder at any driving test centre with availability so they can get a booking. They then either use a cancellation finder service to find a test at their preferred test centre or keep manually checking. This is blocking appointments for people in the local communities around these test centres. 

  

Preventing this type of booking would also allow us to get a better idea of the real demand at each test centre. This would mean we can better manage driving examiner resources and focus them more at test centres where the tests booked will actually take place.  

I acknowledge that most people use our booking systems correctly, however, some unscrupulous third-party services continue to take advantage of learners. As you are ware, the consultation asks for views on: 

• Who should be allowed to book and manage driving tests 
• If we should limit or remove the ability to swap tests between different learners or change test locations 

Rather than creating new laws specifically banning the reselling of tests, the consultation focuses on proposals to change how the system works to help prevent reselling. This is preferable as it: 

• stops the problem at its source rather than just the symptoms 
• would be more immediately effective than enforcement after resales happen 
• makes the system fairer for all learners without creating additional regulatory burden 

The changes proposed would make test reselling practically impossible while preserving legitimate uses of the system by learners and instructors. This consultation asks for views on our proposed changes to the booking rules. After the consultation closes, we will review the feedback given and introduce improved rules, changing the law if necessary. 

We know that you play a vital role in preparing pupils for their driving tests and helping them develop lifelong safe driving skills. We remain committed to working with the ADI community to improve the learning and testing experience for all. 

I would like to assure you both that we respect the professionalism of the driver trainer industry and the patience they have shown throughout the difficult challenges we have had to face with regard to driving examiner retention and test availability. I recognise and value the contribution ADIs make to road safety, and it is important to me that we continue to work together.

Yours sincerely

Loveday Ryder

Chief Executive “