What day and time are driving tests released each week?

With long delays for learner drivers looking to book driving tests - as a result of backlogs stemming from the pandemic and industrial action carried out by examiners - motoring journalist and expert Pete Barden looks at what day of the week, and what time specifically, new driving test slots are released to help learners get the best chance of booking one at the earliest opportunity. 

What day and time are driving tests released?  (Credit: gdsteam)

What day are new driving tests released on the website?

The DVSA says new driving test slots are released on a Monday - for the following 24-week period. Availability varies between test centres so it advises candidates to keep looking regularly for a suitable date and time. Widening to other test centres can improve your chance of getting an earlier test date.

Confirming the Monday morning release date on 4 October, a spokesperson for the DVSA said: "If we have availability for the next 24 week window these will be on the system ready to book on a Monday, however please note it is a live booking system so cancellations can appear at any time."

The DVSA has previously also said: “Availability varies between test centres so we advise you to keep looking regularly for a suitable date and time,”

The agency added: “You may want to widen your search to other test centres.”

What time on a Monday are driving tests released?

You'll need to be up early to take advantage of the new driving test slots being released on a Monday morning each week, a spokesperson for the DVSA told Pete Barden Motoring News: "We tend to release dates first thing in the morning. I would advise you to check from 6am when our online system opens."

So start checking from 6am on a Monday if you want to grab a slot within the following 24-week period. 

Driving test booking changes coming in 2026 - learners could have to wait a minimum six months before taking test

Proposed Changes to Learner Driving in England and Wales

The government is planning new rules that could change how soon learner drivers can take their practical test. These measures are part of a wider road safety strategy aimed at reducing accidents and giving new drivers more time to gain experience on the road.

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New driving test rules – what’s being planned?

What is the government proposing?
A minimum learning period for learner drivers in England and Wales before they can take their practical driving test.

How long would the learning period be?
The Department for Transport is consulting on either three months or six months between passing the theory test and taking the practical test.

Who would this apply to?
All learner drivers, including those learning with an instructor and those practising informally with parents or guardians.

Why is this being introduced?
To improve road safety by giving new drivers more time to gain experience in different conditions, such as night driving, bad weather and busy roads.

What’s the safety aim?
The changes are part of a wider road safety strategy aiming to cut deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65% over the next decade — and by 70% for under-16s.

What evidence supports the plan?
Research from other countries suggests minimum learning periods can reduce collisions involving new drivers by up to 32%.

How would this change things in practice?
It would end the situation where some teenagers pass their test just days after turning 17. The youngest drivers would likely be at least 17½ before qualifying.

Is this linked to graduated driving licences (GDLs)?
No — the government is not currently proposing GDLs, such as restrictions on night driving or carrying young passengers, although these measures are still being debated.

Are there other driving law changes coming?
Yes. The wider strategy is also expected to include:

• A lower drink-drive limit in England and Wales to match Scotland

• An even stricter limit for novice drivers

• Further research into headlight glare and road safety technology

When could this happen?
The proposals will go out to public consultation first, with any changes likely to follow later as part of the government’s long-term road safety reforms.

Only learners will be able to book their own test

From 2026, only the learner driver will be allowed to book and manage a practical driving test. Instructors, third-party websites and apps will no longer be able to book tests on a learner’s behalf or make changes for them.

Limit on how many times you can change a test

Learners will only be allowed to make two changes to a booked driving test. This includes changing the date, time or test centre, or swapping with another test. If you need to make more changes, you’ll have to cancel the test and book again.

Restrictions on changing test centres

If you change your test location, you’ll only be able to move it to nearby test centres in the same local area. You won’t be able to shift a booking to a test centre miles away from where it was originally booked.

These changes will apply to new bookings and are designed to stop bulk buying of tests, reduce waiting times and give genuine learners a better chance of securing a test.

Why the DVSA is changing the booking system

The DVSA says these changes are being introduced to stop driving test “bots” and resellers snapping up appointments and selling them on at inflated prices, which has made it harder for genuine learners to find tests.

By limiting who can book, restricting changes and keeping tests local, the DVSA aims to reduce abuse of the system, cut waiting times and make booking a driving test fairer.

What it means for learners

You’ll need to book and manage your own driving test, so it’s important to be ready before you secure a slot. You’ll also need to think carefully before making changes, as you’ll only get two chances to alter your booking.

The upside is that fewer tests should be taken out of circulation by resellers, improving availability for learners who are genuinely test-ready.

How long is the wait for a driving test? 

Learner drivers are having to wait much longer to get a driving test slot than in the past - with waiting times for test dates anything from two to six months depending on where you live in the UK. 

A freedom of information request submitted by AA Driving Schools to the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency has revealed that the average waiting time for a driving test in Great Britain has increased compared to pre-Covid levels at most centres.

The FoI data indicates drivers have to wait an average of 20 weeks from the time of booking to take their test. 

There are three main reasons for the delays. Firstly, the DVSA has said an increase in forecast demand has been caused by a stronger than expected economy, which has put more candidates into the market - therefore adding increased pressure to the system and pushing up waiting time. 

Additionally, the driving examiners' industrial action across many months earlier this year saw many tests cancelled, pushing those candidates back into the booking system and, in turn, pushing up wait times even further. At the moment there is no new industrial action planned by the examiners, so this should see some pressure taken off the system which should translate into reduced waiting times for tests.

Finally, the DVSA says low confidence in the driving test booking system by learner drivers has also led to increased delays. This is because many new drivers are not confident in securing a driving test, so are booking on as soon as they have passed their theory test - before many haven't even sat behind the wheel of a car.

In the past, pupils would take driving lessons for around six to eight weeks and only book a test appointment when the instructor considered them ready. Now they book early and are often not ready when the test comes around, so either cancel late or fail the test - pushing them back into the system and, again, increasing waiting time for a driving test slot. 

Don't expect the situation to ease any time soon, with the DVSA predicting that extended delays will continue well into 2024. 

Driving test waiting time information by region

Region	Average Wait Time (weeks)	Shortest Wait Time (weeks)	Longest Wait Time (weeks)
South East	23.00	2	24
Greater London	17.00	2	17
South West	21.86	13	24
East of England	20.00	12	22
West Midlands	18.50	10	20
Yorkshire and the Humber	19.00	11	21
East Midlands	22.00	14	23
North West	19.50	12	22
Scotland	20.50	14	23
Wales	21.00	15	24

Table created by analysis from data sources including the AA Driving School Report and Gov.UK

Top 10 driving test pass rates by centre

Here are the UK driving test centres with the top pass rates, according to a study from Howden Insurance. Useful data for candidates choosing which test centre they should book.

Rank	Test Centre	Pass Rate
1	Montrose	74.8
2	Peebles	74.2
3	Hawick	73.3
4	Forfar	72.6
5	Lerwick	70.1
6	Girvan	69.7
7	Kelso	69.3
8	Stranraer	68.5
9	Fraserburgh	66.3
10	Kendal	66.0

Top 10 best places in the UK to pass your driving test first time

Here are the top 10 driving test centres where you have the best chance of passing first time.

Top ten lowest driving test pass rates by centre

Here are the top 10 driving centres with the lowest pass rates in the UK.

Rank	Test Centre	Pass Rate %
1	Swindon	21.5
2	Speke	32.0
3	Doncaster	32.5
4	Erith	32.8
5	Belvedere	33.5
6	Wolverhampton	35.5
7	Featherstone	37.4
8	Rochdale	37.5
9	Wednesbury	37.7
10	Bury	38.0

Driving test cancellation rule change means learners risk losing the full fee from April 2025

From 8 April 2025, the DVSA is extending the notice period needed to change or cancel a practical car driving test without being charged – and it's a big jump.

At the moment, learners can reschedule or cancel a test without penalty if they give at least three full working days' notice. But under the new rules, this will increase to 10 full working days – or you’ll lose the full test fee.

Are driving examiners planning any new strikes?

Currently, there are no planned strikes by driving examiners.

Are theory tests being cancelled because of industrial action?

There is no industrial action currently being undertaken by driving test examiners.

Where can I book a theory test online through an official website?

The theory test can be booked online here. It is important to book through the official Gov.UK site or you could pay more than you need to.

When making the booking, you will need the following information to hand:

• UK driving licence number
• email address
• credit or debit card

To take one of these exams for a car, you will need to have resided in England, Wales or Scotland for a minimum of 185 days in the past 12 months before the day you sit the theory or practical exam.

The charge for car and motor bike candidates is £23 and must be paid at time of booking the examination.

Are theory test being taken remotely online?

No. The examinations are held on site in an approved centre. Currently, it is up to you if you want to wear a mask if in England. However, with the pandemic still seeing new variants of concern evolving, the advice may change at short notice so always check the latest status before heading to the centre. 

Are practical driving tests being cancelled?

No. Official centres are currently working seven days a week, with out-of-hours examinations also being offered. 

What is being done about third-party booking sites buying up test slots?

Loveday Ryder of the DVSA also spoke out about third-party booking sites using 'bots' to scrape test centre websites to buy up slots as they become available, then sell them on at inflated prices - or even let them go to waste.

She confirmed that new anti-bot systems have been introduced to tackle this issue and help free up more tests for those who've previously had them cancelled or want to book a new one.

Can I change my current test date for an earlier one?

If you already have a practical test booked, you can attempt to swap it for an earlier cancellation by checking out the official Government site.

To use this service, log on to the Gov.UK site here. 

How likely are driving tests to be cancelled?

There is currently no industrial action, planned or otherwise, causing practical driving tests to be cancelled.

How to contact the DVSA?

You can find all contact details for the DVSA here.

What do I need to take to my driving test?

Candidates must take:

• their UK driving licence
• their theory test pass certificate, if you have it.

Are more men or women passing their driving test  - and are pass rates going up (cars)?

Metric and time period	Total	Female	Male
Tests Conducted: Jul to Sep 2022	412,714	197,547	215,069
Tests Passed: Jul to Sep 2022	200,966	92,325	108,606
Pass Rate (%): Jul to Sep 2022	48.7%	46.7%	50.5%
Tests Conducted (%): Annual change	+2.8%	+0.5%	+5.0%
Tests Passed (%): Annual change	+0.9%	-1.0%	+2.6%
Pass Rate (percentage points): Annual change	-0.9	-0.7	-1.2

Driving test pass rates by year and month 

Have you ever wondered if there preferable month to take a practical driving test - giving you more chance of passing? The following data can help add some insight. Summer months would appear to be provide more passes by percentage, but look out for anomalies caused by the pandemic. 

Data sourced from RAC and DVSA table DRT121G

When is the best and worst month to pass your driving test?

Working with the Gov.uk data above, which gives accurate test results over three previous years, analysis shows the following months are the best and worst for candidates achieving a pass: 

• Best Month (Highest Average Pass Rate): February with an average pass rate of 52.8%.
• Worst Month (Lowest Average Pass Rate): November with an average pass rate of 47.5%.