DRIVING TEST CHANGES MADE PERMANENT FROM THE 24TH NOVEMBER 2025.

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.

DIA CEO, Carly Brookfield, said: “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.”

Source - Driver Trainer