Driving test changes made permanent as DVSA expands focus on high-speed roads

DVSA has confirmed that adjustments first piloted at 20 driving test centres earlier this year will now be rolled out from 24 November 2025.

The changes are designed to make the test more reflective of real-world driving and to improve safety for young drivers, who remain disproportionately involved in serious collisions on rural routes.

According to DVSA, between 2019 and 2023 almost half of all fatal or serious collisions involving younger drivers occurred on rural roads. The agency says the expanded use of these roads during the test will help build confidence, competence, and better risk-management skills among new motorists.

What is changing

The updated test structure allows examiners, where local roads permit, to spend a greater proportion of the assessment on rural, high-speed, and otherwise demanding environments. Alongside this, several operational adjustments have been confirmed:

• The number of compulsory normal stops is being reduced from four to three• Emergency stops will now take place in around one in seven tests instead of one in three• Examiners will be able to extend independent driving up to the full duration of the test, whether using a sat nav, traffic signs, or a mixture of both

DVSA says these updates will free examiners from needing to seek out slower roads to complete multiple stops, allowing routes to flow more naturally and cover a wider range of driving environments.

Industry reaction

The trial drew strong support from examiners, with 87 per cent saying they wanted the changes implemented permanently. Many praised the improved “flow” of test routes and the greater realism of assessments dominated by continuous, independent driving.

DIA CEO Carly Brookfield welcomed the move, emphasising its value for both pre-test preparation and long-term safety.

“DIA welcomes the move to devote more time and focus on high-speed roads on the driving test. This will make the assessment more reflective of independent driving in practice post-test and give Examiners more opportunity to assess the risk management capabilities of the candidate on high-speed roads.

“This move should encourage pupils, parents and trainers to spend more time developing driving skills (and safety) on high-speed roads in the pre-test training period, versus many pupils traditionally seeing driving on motorways, dual carriageways and high-speed rural roads as more of a post-test developmental focus.

“To support pupils, parents and trainers in this regard, we have developed a knowledge hub purely focused on driving on high-speed roads that all drivers can benefit from – visit drivinghub.co.uk for more information.”

The wider industry has also voiced support. The AA Charitable Trust, Bill Plant Driving School and RED Driver Training have all highlighted the value of more time on rural and faster roads, noting that young drivers are over-represented in crashes on these routes.

NASP also confirmed that it supports improvements that increase competence and reduce casualties among new drivers.

No impact on test availability

DVSA has confirmed that the changes will not alter test length or reduce the volume of tests available. The agency reports that between June and September this year it conducted almost 42,000 more tests than in the same period in 2024.

What trainers need to know

The national standard for driving remains unchanged, and the skills required to pass the test are not being added to. However, trainers should expect test routes to place greater emphasis on:

• Hazard perception and risk management at higher speeds

• Overtaking decisions, following distances and speed adaptation

• Cornering judgement on rural roads

• Managing independent driving for sustained periods

DVSA continues to stress that candidates should only take the test when they can drive safely and independently, without instruction.