Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to prevent bots booking driving tests.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) keeps Britain moving, safely and sustainably by:

• Regulating the driver training industry and conducting theory and practical driving tests on goods vehicles, motorcycles and cars.

• Testing heavy goods vehicles and buses on an annual basis; it also regulates and accredits providers of the car MOT scheme.

• Carrying out roadside checking of commercial drivers and vehicles and monitoring companies that operate goods vehicles, buses, and coaches.

In 2023/2024 DVSA:

• Oversaw 41,862,000 MOT tests, with 89% of MOT centres satisfied with the service they receive from DVSA

• Delivered 692,000 heavy vehicle tests largely through a network of Approved Testing Facilities (ATF), with 96% of ATFs satisfied with the service they receive from DVSA

• Carried out 131,000 vehicle and driver checks and licensed 73,000 vehicle operators.

DVSA’s main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

Significant progress has already been made as part of DVSA’s 7-point plan to reduce waiting times, with 1.95 million tests provided last year. However, further action is required.

On the 23 April, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that she has asked DVSA to take action on four additional measures to reduce driving test waiting times for learners. Further information regarding these measures can be found on GOV.UK.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, DVSA continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system.

On the 18 December 2024, DVSA launched a call for evidence, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, with potential future legislative changes. On the 23 April the Secretary of State announced that this consultation has been fast-tracked to May 2025.

On 6 January 2025, DVSA introduced new terms and conditions for use of the service driving instructors and trainers use to book and manage practical driving tests for their pupils. Since this change DVSA has issued 44 warnings, 120 suspensions, and closed 270 business accounts.

DVSA has deployed bot protection to help stop automated systems from buying up tests unfairly. These applications, however, are constantly evolving and changing, and DVSA’s work on this is ongoing.