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 be taught to drive/experience. The publication goals to elucidate the reasoning behind the selections already introduced, and the service-led method the company says it’s now adopting.
However whereas DVSA acknowledges that the brand new mannequin would require instructors and driving colleges to adapt, recent knowledge from a big DIA survey exhibits trainers overwhelmingly disagree with each the measures and the way in which 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 selections 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 upon managing check bookings, together with intensive programs. The company says it is going to work with NASP and the foremost 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 issues in regards to the financial implications” and can proceed participating 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 power of ADIs to ebook checks
• Limiting check swaps
• Recruiting navy examiners to extend capability
• New measures meant to forestall the system being “gamed”
The total report could be accessed right here: https://www.gov.uk/steerage/changes-to-driving-test-booking-rules-in-2026
And the Despatches Weblog put up is on the market 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 special story
DIA’s impartial survey, accomplished this week by 1,051 ADIs, reveals critical issues 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 checks
Solely 21.3% assist the measure.
77.7% imagine the session ought to have included the choice for solely trainers to ebook checks
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 take into account 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 totally with the business earlier than implementing modifications
The strongest consensus in the whole survey.
Army examiners seen as having restricted impression on ready occasions
85.1% don’t imagine it will meaningfully cut back delays.
Collectively, these responses illustrate an business that feels excluded from policymaking, deeply nervous in regards to the operational penalties of the reforms, and unconvinced that the measures will alleviate the check backlog.
You may view the total survey outcomes right here: https://www.driving.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Member-Suggestions-to-Driving-Take a look at-Reserving-Modifications.pdf
A rising disconnect between DVSA messaging and business 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 checks
- Issues about susceptible learners who depend on teacher assist
- Fears that enterprise fashions will develop into unviable
- An absence of readability about how new guidelines will probably be communicated and enforced
- Low confidence in DVSA’s potential to ship significant enhancements
The session outcomes revealed as we speak will enable the business to grasp how DVSA weighted the proof behind every measure. Nevertheless, the early response from instructors signifies that transparency alone isn’t 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 will 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 cut 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 participating with DVSA to have a look at methods by which trainers could be higher enabled, supported and promoted because the skilled gatekeeper to a driving licence. To that finish we will probably be organising focus teams within the New Yr to discover concepts with members.
Your voices are shaping this work, and the dimensions of the response sends a strong message: trainers need reform, but it surely have to be workable, evidence-based, and developed with the career, not for it.
