DVSA PLANS TO REDUCE DRIVING TEST WAITING TIMES

 

DVSA sets out NEW plan to reduce Driving Test Waiting Times

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has today (Wednesday 18 December 2024) set out a 7-point plan to reduce driving test waiting times, and get new drivers on road.

Lilian Greenwood, Minister for the Future of Roads, said:

Passing your driving test is a life changing opportunity for millions – but sky-high waiting times for tests in recent years have denied that opportunity to too many people.

No one should have to wait six months when they’re ready to pass, travel to the other side of the country to take a driving test or be ripped off by unscrupulous websites just because they can’t afford to wait.

The scale of the backlog we have inherited is huge, but today’s measures are a crucial step to tackle the long driving test wait times, protect learner drivers from being exploited, and support more people to hit the road.

1. Recruit and train 450 Driving Examiners

DVSA will recruit and train 450 driving examiners across Great Britain.

2. Review and improve the Rules for Booking Driving Tests

DVSA will review and improve the driving test booking system to make sure that learner drivers can book their driving test easily and efficiently.

To do this, DVSA will follow these steps:

1.   Launch a call for evidence about the current rules and processes, which DVSA has done today (18 December 2024).

 

2.   Analyse the evidence and develop proposals to improve the rules and booking system.

 

3.   Run a consultation on the proposed improved rules.

 

4.   Introduce the improved rules - changing the law if necessary.

This work will take time to complete, and it will take some time for learner drivers and driving instructors to see improvements. But it will help to make the system fairer for learners and better protect them from being exploited.

3. Introduce tougher terms and conditions for the service driving instructors use to book and Manage Car Driving Tests for their Pupils

These new terms and conditions will come into force on 6 January 2025.

They set out that only driving instructors or businesses that employ driving instructors can use the service to book car driving tests.

The new terms and conditions make it clear that driving instructors and businesses must not book driving tests on behalf of learner drivers they are not teaching.

They also stop driving instructors and businesses from using a learner driver’s details to book a driving test that they have no intention of that particular learner driver using. This is sometimes done to create a placeholder so the test can be swapped to another learner driver later.

If anyone breaks the terms and conditions, DVSA can:

·         issue them with a warning notice

·         suspend their account

·         close their account

4. Consult on new proposals to increase the amount of time people have to wait to book another test in certain situations

DVSA will run a consultation on new proposals to increase the amount of time people have to wait to book another test if they either:

·         make multiple serious or dangerous faults during their driving test

·         physically or verbally assault their driving examiner

·         fail to attend their driving test without telling DVSA - and consider charging them a penalty

Learner drivers currently have to wait 10 working days before being able to book another test. The consultation, which will launch at a later date, will set out the full details of the potential options.

5. Increase the amount of notice you need to give to change or Cancel a Car Driving Test without losing the fee

DVSA will increase the amount of notice people need to give to change or cancel their car driving test without losing their fee to 10 clear working days.

It’s currently set at 3 clear working days. DVSA consulted on proposals to increase this in 2022.  

This change will:

·         encourage people to change or cancel their test sooner if they’re not ready

·         give more chance for appointments to be used by someone else

DVSA is working to bring in this change from spring 2025. The exact date has not yet been confirmed. DVSA will let learner drivers and driving instructors know when the date is confirmed.

Learner drivers will still be able to apply for a refund in cases such as illness or bereavement.

DVSA will continue to pay out-of-pocket expenses for any car driving tests it cancels with fewer than 3 clear working days’ notice while it conducts a review of its out-of-pocket expenses process.

6. Explore changing the current 24-week limit on how far ahead car driving testscan be booked

DVSA will explore ways of changing how far ahead car driving tests can be booked. This is currently set at 24 weeks.

Any changes DVSA makes will be made so it can better understand how many people want to take a driving test at each test centre.

7. Encourage learner drivers to be better prepared for their driving test through the ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign

DVSA will continue to run its ‘Ready to Pass?’ campaign, which 95% of users rate as useful, to encourage learner drivers to take the right action to prepare for their driving test.

Research from DVSA shows that about 23% of learner drivers take their first attempt at the driving test within one month of starting driving lessons.

The campaign aims to change this behaviour, and focuses on helping learner drivers to:

·         understand what skills they need to have mastered

·         prepare for their test by giving tips on managing nerves

·         take a realistic mock driving test

·         understand what will happen during their driving test

It also encourages people who are not ready to pass to move their test back.

Reducing waiting times

The actions being taken will help DVSA to provide 1.95 million car driving tests between April 2024 and March 2025 and to reduce the waiting time to 7 weeks by December 2025.

DRIVING CONVICTIONS

 What is Dangerous driving conviction?

Lets see here what constitutes a driving conviction, and how you can avoid a increase in your insurance costs because of one.

What constitutes as dangerous driving?

All motoring offences determined by magistrates or at a crown court will lead to a criminal conviction and it can can be anything from causing death by dangerous driving or driving under the influence of alcohol, to speeding or failing to wear a seatbelt.

All these offences can lead to a fine, penalty points on your licence, disqualification and, in extreme cases, imprisonment.

But it’s not just the manner of your driving that can lead to convictions. You may be committing an offence if you are driving a defective vehicle, perhaps driving at night with no rear lights, or driving without insurance or a valid licence or MOT. These offences can also lead to a driving conviction.

The rules are the same, whether the person pleads guilty, or is found guilty by the court.

However, offences that are committed but dealt with by way of a fixed penalty notice, do not lead to criminal convictions. The fixed penalty notice is served because the authorities believe the offence is serious, but not serious enough to be considered by a court of law.

Here are some of the examples listed by the police as to what constitutes as dangerous driving, but not limited to:

• Speeding, racing, or driving aggressively
• Ignoring traffic lights, road signs
• Overtaking dangerously
• Driving under the influence of drink or drugs, including prescription drugs
• Driving when unfit, including having an injury, being unable to see clearly, not taking prescribed drugs, or being sleepy
• Knowing the vehicle has a dangerous fault or an unsafe load

Distractions are also causes of dangerous driving, for example:

• Using a hand-held phone or other equipment
• Reading, or looking at a map
• Talking to and looking at a passenger
• Lighting a cigarette, selecting music, tuning the radio

Do I have to declare my driving convictions?

You will need to declare your convictions, both motoring and criminal when getting a quote for an insurance policy. If you fail to do so your insurance may be invalid and your insurer may cancel the policy. 

In the event of a claim you may not be paid, and if you have already been paid for a claim and a previous conviction becomes apparent, your insurer can ask for its money back.

AA calls for graduated driving licensing for new drivers

 

The AA is calling on the government to introduce a Graduated Driver Licence (GDL) to protect newly qualified drivers, limiting newly qualified drivers from carrying peer-age passengers for the first six months after passing their test.

·         One in five young drivers crash within a year of passing their test and 1,500+ young drivers are killed or seriously injured each year.

·         72% of AA members think a graduated licence limiting passengers is good idea.

·         Call for a Graduated Driver Licence comes as the AA launches a motoring manifesto with five key pledges.

·         Safer roads, fixing potholes, scrapping smart motorways, helping EV transition, keeping costs down, and career paths for young people in the industry, are all included.

An average of five people per day are killed on UK roads and 82 are seriously injured, but one in five young drivers crash within a year of passing their test and 1,500+ young drivers are killed or seriously injured each year.

Its asking government to make five key pledges to improve Britain’s roads.

1.      Supporting drivers: keeping motoring costs low through fuel duty freeze, better fuel price transparency and reducing Insurance Premium Tax.

2.      Sustainable future: providing the right incentives, infrastructure, and information to support the switch to zero emission vehicles. For example, helping those without on-street parking by cutting VAT for on-street EV charging.

3.      Smoother journeys: addressing the pothole crisis with ring-fenced funds and use of technology for more permanent repairs. Scrapping the failed experiment of ‘smart’ motorways.

4.      Safer roads: reducing road deaths through setting clear targets, increased roads policing and addressing the tragedy of new driver deaths through graduated licences such as restricting passengers for six months after passing their test.

Strengthening the industry: providing support to the sector to enable greater investment in innovation and skills. Maintain push for regulations to allow access to vehicle data to improve the safety, convenience, running costs and environment via connected car services.

MOTORISTS TO TAX VEHICLES WITHOUT LOG BOOK

Motorists to tax vehicle without log book and tax reminder letter

 

Motorists applying for a duplicate V5C (log book) can now tax their vehicle without needing to wait for their log book to arrive.

V5C - Log Book

DVLA has announced a new service update that allows motorists to tax their vehicle even if they have lost their V5C (log book) and their vehicle tax reminder letter (V11).

Previously, customers who had lost these documents would have had to wait up to 5 days for a replacement V5C to arrive, or phone DVLA’s Contact Centre to tax their vehicle. This latest update will allow customers to apply online for a new V5C and tax their vehicle at the same time.

This is the first time that DVLA has linked their online registration service with their online licensing service, allowing the customer to self-serve through the 2 digital channels in one seamless customer journey.

Julie Lennard, DVLA Chief Executive, said:

We are always looking for ways to improve our digital services to provide more convenience for motorists. This latest enhancement will enable customers who have misplaced or lost their V5C to get a replacement and tax their vehicle quickly and easily.

LEARN TO DRIVE - EXPERT DRIVING LESSONS NEAR YOU

      Learn to Drive: Expert Driving Lessons Near You

Unlock the freedom of the road and gain the confidence to navigate any driving situation with our comprehensive driving lessons. Our experienced instructors are dedicated to guiding you every step of the way. They will help you master essential skills and prepare you for your driving test.

Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced driver looking to improve, our tailored programs are for you. They are designed to meet your unique needs. This will help you become a safer, more proficient driver.

Key Takeaways:

• Expert driving instruction from experienced professionals
• Personalized curriculum to suit your skill level and learning style
• Gain the confidence and skills to pass your driving test with ease
• Flexible scheduling to accommodate your busy lifestyle
• Affordable pricing and payment options to fit your budget

Unlock the Freedom of the Road with Professional Driving Lessons

Learning to drive is key to enjoying the freedom of the road. Our professional driving lessons will guide you every step of the way. They help you gain the confidence and skills to drive safely and responsibly.

Gain Confidence and Master Essential Skills

Our experienced instructors will teach you important driving techniques. You'll learn how to change lanes, park in parallel spots, and navigate through busy junction / intersections. Our driving instruction will prepares you for any driving situation.

Experienced Instructors Guide You Every Step of the Way

Our instructors are dedicated to helping you become a confident driver. They offer personalized attention and hands-on practice. This ensures you're ready to drive with confidence and skill.

Start your journey to driving freedom with our expert professional driving lessons today.

Why Choose Expert for your Driving Lessons?

Learning to drive with professional driving instructor has many benefits. You'll learn safe driving habits and gain confidence on the road. Our skilled instructors use effective teaching methods to help you learn well.

Here are some advantages of picking professional driving lessons:

• Get hands-on experience in real driving situations with qualified instructors
• Learn key skills like defensive driving, spotting hazards, and controlling your vehicle
• Learn at your pace and stay focused to meet your learning needs
• Feel ready for your driving test and boost your chances of passing it first time

Driving lessons are more than just getting your license. They're about making a promise to drive safely and responsibly. Our expert instructors will teach you how to drive with confidence. This makes you a safer, better driver for life.

"The best investment you can make is in yourself and your future. Choosing expert driving lessons is a smart decision that will pay dividends for the rest of your life."

Don't wait any longer. Start your journey to becoming a confident, skilled driver by signing up for your driving lessons today.

Flexible Scheduling to Fit Your Busy Life

At our driving school, we know your schedule is full and can change often. That's why we offer flexible driving lesson scheduling to fit your life. You can choose from morning, afternoon, or evening lessons. We'll work with you to find the best convenient lesson times for your busy life.

Convenient Times for Your Learning Needs

We know everyone has different schedules and things they need to do. That's why our driving instructors are available at various times during the day. This way, you can fit your driving lessons around your other responsibilities. We offer early and late sessions to help you learn to drive easily.

We aim to make learning to drive easy and stress-free with our convenient lesson times and flexible scheduling. We want to accommodate your busy schedules and support you in becoming a confident driver.

Comprehensive Curriculum for Beginner and Experienced Drivers

At our driving school, we offer a comprehensive driving syllabus for all skill levels. Whether you're starting from scratch or want to improve your skills, we have lessons for you. Our program is designed to meet your specific needs and goals.

Our curriculum includes all the essential topics you need to know. You'll get well-rounded instruction that helps you drive safely. From learning how to operate a vehicle to mastering complex maneuvers, our Driving lessons for all skill levels are tailored to you.

Empowering Beginner and Experienced Driver Training

For beginner learner drivers, we start with the basics. You'll learn how to start, steer, and brake safely. We also teach you about traffic rules, road signs, and safe driving habits. This ensures you have a solid foundation for your driving journey.

For experienced drivers, we focus on improving your skills. We'll work on your defensive driving techniques, reaction time, and instill habits that make you a better driver. This will boost your confidence and responsibility on the road.for obstacle courses, and traffic signal models, all set in a bright, inviting environment.

"Our driving lessons have transformed countless lives, empowering students to take control of the road with confidence and skill."

We combine our comprehensive driving syllabus with expert instructions. This approach ensures you gain the knowledge and skills needed to drive safely and confidently, no matter your experience level.

Driving Lessons for Every Age and Level

Are you a teenager starting to learn or an adult looking to improve your driving skills? Our driving lessons cater to your specific needs. Our skilled instructors provide personalized instruction. They help students of all ages and skill levels to become safe and responsible drivers.

Tailored Instruction for Teenagers and Adults

Our driving lessons for all ages focus on what each student needs. For teenage driver training, we work on skills like vehicle control and traffic awareness. For adult driver education, we cover basic skills or advanced maneuvers.

We tailor our lessons to meet each student's unique needs. This approach helps them overcome challenges and gain confidence on the road.

Teenage Driver Training	Adult Driver Education
Developing vehicle control Learning traffic rules and regulations Practicing defensive driving techniques Building confidence on the road	Refreshing basic driving skills Addressing specific areas of concern Mastering advanced maneuvers Boosting confidence and road awareness

Behind the Wheel: Real-World Practice

At our driving school, we think the best way to learn is by getting hands-on experience. Our behind the wheel training gives you the practical skills you need to drive with confidence.

You'll get to use your skills in real-world driving practice during your lessons. Our skilled instructors will take you through different road types, like busy city streets and winding country roads. This helps you develop the skills and quick thinking needed to stay safe.

Master Defensive Driving Techniques

Our Driving lessons also focus on defensive driving techniques. You'll learn to spot potential dangers, keep a safe distance, and act fast in unexpected situations. These skills will make you more confident in handling any driving situation.

• Learn to scan the road for potential risks
• Develop the ability to react quickly and appropriately
• Understand how to maintain a safe following distance
• Practice defensive driving maneuvers, such as emergency stop and evasive steering

Our training aims to give you the knowledge and experience to be a safe, responsible driver. With our expert help, you'll be ready for your driving test and enjoy the freedom of the road.

"The best way to learn to drive is by getting behind the wheel and practicing in real-world conditions. Our driving lessons ensure you develop the skills and confidence to handle any situation on the road."

Boost Your Confidence with Driving Lessons

Learning to drive can change how you feel on the road. Our expert driving lessons aim to boost your confidence. They help you overcome driving anxiety and make driving easier.

Our lessons are for everyone, whether you're new to driving or have been driving for years. We focus on what you need and help you learn step by step. With our skilled instructors, you'll learn the skills to drive safely and with confidence.

Feeling confident while driving is more than just passing your driving test. It's about feeling free and comfortable in any driving situation. Our lessons will help you face your fears, handle tough situations, and enjoy driving.

Overcome Driving Anxiety with Expert Guidance

If driving makes you anxious, we're here to help. Our instructors will work with you to find out why you're scared and how to overcome it. With practice and support, you'll become a confident driver.

• Learn techniques to manage stress and anxiety behind the wheel
• Develop the skills to navigate complex driving situations with ease
• Gain the confidence to make decisions and react quickly on the road

Tailored Lessons for Your Unique Needs

Everyone learns differently, so our lessons are made just for you. Whether you're a teen or an adult, we'll make a plan that fits your goals and worries.

Lesson Type	Tailored Approach
Beginner Drivers	Comprehensive instruction in all the fundamentals of driving, building a solid foundation of knowledge and skills.
Experienced Drivers	Focused on refining techniques, addressing problem areas, and building advanced skills for greater confidence and control.
Nervous/Anxious Drivers	Specialized strategies to overcome fears, manage stress, and develop the self-assurance to handle any driving situation.

Drive with confidence and improve your skills. Contact us today to book your driving lessons and unlock the freedom and independence of the open road.

Driving Lessons Near You: Convenient Locations

We know how important it is to learn to drive near you. That's why we've placed our driving schools all over the area. This makes it easy for you to find a school close to your home or work.

Find a Driving School Close to Home or Work

Do you want to take driving lessons on your way to work or in a place you know well?

We're committed to offering driving lessons near me and convenient driving school locations. This shows how serious we are about making learning easy for everyone. We make sure our students can get the skills they need to drive safely and confidently.

Affordable Pricing and Payment Options

Our driving schools, deliver quality driving lessons that fit your budget. This will makes our services available to everyone, no matter your financial situation.

Learning to drive is a big step towards gaining freedom. With our flexible payment plans, you can pick the option that suits your budget best. Whether you pay all at once or spread it out, we've got you covered.

Payment Option	Description	Price from
Pay as you Go	Pay for driving lesson before starting every time	£30
Package Deal	Pay for 5 Lessons	£145
Package Deal	Pay for 10 Lessons	£280

Our cost-effective driver education programs aim to give you the skills and confidence to drive safely and responsibly.

 

Prepare for Your Road Test with Expert Guidance

Our driving lessons teach you more than just the basics. We give you the skills and confidence you need to do well on your driving test. Our experienced instructors will work closely with you. They provide personalized guidance and support to make sure you're ready for the real-world and your driving test.

Our comprehensive curriculum covers everything you need for road test preparation. You'll learn defensive driving techniques and how to navigate the test route easily. By the end, you'll have the knowledge and practical experience needed to pass the driving test and get your driver's license with confidence.

If you're a beginner or just want to improve your skills, our expert driving test coaching is here to help. We'll prepare you to approach the driving test with confidence. With our guidance, you'll show your driving skills and prove you can drive safely and responsibly.