Driving Test Availability: South-east Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Transport
Luke Murphy
Main Page: Luke Murphy (Labour - Basingstoke)Department Debates - View all Luke Murphy's debates with the Department for Transport
(1 day, 5 hours ago)
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Simon Lightwood
These actions were taken as a consequence of the 90,000 submissions and the work that we did in the DVSA and the Department, so they are based on feedback. These changes will make access fairer and will prevent unofficial businesses and third parties from reselling tests at inflated prices. They will prevent tests from being booked in quiet areas, only to be moved to high-demand areas.
Simon Lightwood
I will make some progress.
Local learners in quiet areas will have better access to tests at their preferred centres, and examiner resources will be focused where demand is highest. Reform to the booking system will give greater control to learner drivers. It will remove the ability for third parties to exploit the system, and will make booking a practical driving test fairer for all.
These changes require both legislative and technical updates, and implementation is expected to begin by spring 2026. I assure Members that I will do everything I can to move as quickly as humanly possible.