A MAJOR change to driving tests is being rolled out across the UK from next week.
Learner drivers are set to face tougher conditions on test routes as exam chiefs announced a new overhaul aimed at boosting road safety.
DVSA has announced that the amount of time learner drivers spend on faster roads during their driving test will be increased.
The adjustments that were first trialled at 20 centres earlier this year will be rolled out nationwide from 24 November 2025, bringing faster, more challenging roads into the heart of the driving test.
The changes are designed to make the assessment more reflective of real-world driving, particularly for young motorists who remain disproportionately involved in serious crashes on rural routes.
Between 2019 and 2023 almost half of all fatal or serious collisions involving younger drivers took place on rural roads, according to DVSA data.
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Officials believe spending more time on these stretches during the test will help new drivers build confidence, develop better judgement and improve risk-management skills.
Changes to expect
Under the updated structure, examiners will be able to carry out a greater portion of the test on high-speed or otherwise demanding roads where local routes allow.
Alongside this shift, several operational tweaks have been confirmed.
The number of compulsory normal stops is being reduced, emergency stops will now take place in around one in seven tests instead of one in three, and examiners will be allowed to extend the independent driving section to cover the entire test if needed.
DVSA says these adjustments will free examiners from seeking out slower roads simply to tick off required manoeuvres, allowing test routes to flow more naturally.
The industry has largely welcomed the move. In the pilot phase, 87 per cent of examiners said they wanted the changes introduced permanently, praising the smoother route planning and more realistic assessments.
DIA chief executive Carly Brookfield said the update strengthens both pre-test preparation and long-term driver safety, stressing the importance of developing skills on motorways, dual carriageways and high-speed rural roads before the test rather than afterwards.
Major training organisations including the AA Charitable Trust, Bill Plant Driving School and RED Driver Training have also voiced strong support.
Many highlight that younger drivers are significantly over-represented in crashes on rural roads and argue that more time spent on these routes during training and testing will help reduce casualties.
NASP added that it backs any improvements that strengthen competence among new drivers.
DVSA insists the update will not shorten or extend test times, nor will it reduce availability.
The agency said almost 42,000 more tests were carried out between June and September this year compared to the same period in 2024, signalling that capacity will remain stable as the changes come into force.
More changes
It comes after learner drivers were informed that they would soon need to brush up on their CPR skills in an effort to save thousands of lives every year.
Driving theory tests will include added questions on CPR and defibrillators from early next year, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has said.
Theory test questions will be expanded to include “enhanced” CPR content.
While questions on external defibrillators, or AEDs, will be added for the first time.
Theory test candidates will therefore need to brush up on their CPR techniques including proper placement and compression rates as well as how to use an AED.
The DVSA also announced in May that three major practical driving test changes were to be trialled across the UK to speed up exams for thousands of learners.
