The DVSA has launched the total outcomes of its session on proposed modifications to the driving check reserving system, alongside a brand new Despatches Weblog put up by Christian Oreschnick, the company’s just lately appointed service improvement lead for study to drive/journey. The publication goals to elucidate the reasoning behind the choices already introduced, and the service-led strategy the company says it’s now adopting.
However whereas DVSA acknowledges that the brand new mannequin would require instructors and driving colleges to adapt, contemporary knowledge from a big DIA survey exhibits trainers overwhelmingly disagree with each the measures and the best way they’ve been launched.
DVSA outlines its place
In his weblog, Oreschnick thanks the greater than 11,000 responses to the session and stresses that DVSA thought-about responses by viewers group quite than by quantity alone. He additionally reiterates that the choices introduced by ministers have now set the course for the company’s subsequent steps.
DVSA recognises that the modifications will significantly have an effect on enterprise fashions that rely on managing check bookings, together with intensive programs. The company says it’ll work with NASP and the most important nationwide colleges to develop steerage and a pupil toolkit to assist implementation.
Oreschnick accepts the extent of concern expressed by trainers, including that DVSA “hears the considerations in regards to the financial implications” and can proceed partaking with consultant our bodies because the operational element of the reforms is outlined.
What DVSA has now revealed
DVSA has launched the full session report, which particulars the proof ministers used to make selections on:
• Limiting the flexibility of ADIs to guide exams
• Limiting check swaps
• Recruiting army examiners to extend capability
• New measures meant to forestall the system being “gamed”
The total report might be accessed right here: https://www.gov.uk/steerage/changes-to-driving-test-booking-rules-in-2026
And the Despatches Weblog put up is accessible right here: https://despatch.weblog.gov.uk/2025/12/09/changes-to-booking-system-understanding-views-and-how-these-inform-the-planned-changes/
DIA survey findings inform a distinct story
DIA’s impartial survey, accomplished this week by 1,051 ADIs, reveals severe considerations about each the measures themselves and the decision-making course of behind them.
Key findings embody:
78.7% of trainers disagree with limiting ADIs from reserving exams
Solely 21.3% assist the measure.
77.7% imagine the session ought to have included the choice for solely trainers to guide exams
A reform many ADIs have constantly advocated.
Confidence in DVSA to resolve check supply points is extraordinarily low
Rankings common simply 1.3 to 1.6 out of 5 throughout effectiveness, communication, and belief in DVSA and authorities.
91.2% imagine ministers did not correctly think about the unfavorable impacts of the brand new measures
Solely 8.8% really feel all impacts had been thought-about.
93.5% say authorities should seek the advice of extra absolutely with the trade earlier than implementing modifications
The strongest consensus in all the survey.
Navy examiners seen as having restricted impression on ready occasions
85.1% don’t imagine it will meaningfully scale back delays.
Collectively, these responses illustrate an trade that feels excluded from policymaking, deeply fearful in regards to the operational penalties of the reforms, and unconvinced that the measures will alleviate the check backlog.
You’ll be able to view the total survey outcomes right here: https://www.driving.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Member-Suggestions-to-Driving-Check-Reserving-Adjustments.pdf
A rising disconnect between DVSA messaging and trade actuality
Whereas DVSA emphasises that its selections are evidence-based and formed by session suggestions, the sentiment captured within the DIA survey suggests a widening hole between the company’s narrative and ADIs’ lived expertise.
Trainers proceed to report:
- Longstanding difficulties securing exams
- Considerations about weak learners who depend on teacher assist
- Fears that enterprise fashions will grow to be unviable
- A scarcity of readability about how new guidelines shall be communicated and enforced
- Low confidence in DVSA’s capacity to ship significant enhancements
The session outcomes revealed as we speak will enable the trade to know how DVSA weighted the proof behind every measure. Nevertheless, the early response from instructors signifies that transparency alone shouldn’t be sufficient to revive belief.
DIA’s subsequent steps
DIA will proceed analysing the total session report and can publish a deeper breakdown for members shortly. We can even be:
- Feeding your survey responses instantly into ongoing discussions with ministers and DVSA
- Urgent for clearer timelines and transitional preparations
- Calling for significant co-design with ADIs earlier than implementation
- Advocating for measures that genuinely scale back ready occasions, quite than limit entry for pupils who want assist
- different methods to allow ADIs to be higher gatekeepers to licensure – DIA is actively partaking with DVSA to take a look at methods through which trainers might be higher enabled, supported and promoted because the skilled gatekeeper to a driving licence. To that finish we shall be establishing focus teams within the New 12 months to discover concepts with members.
Your voices are shaping this work, and the size of the response sends a strong message: trainers need reform, however it should be workable, evidence-based, and developed with the career, not for it.
