Drive Time Kendal

15/04/2026

Spring may mean warmer temperatures, but it can bring rainy spells too. ☔

When roads are wet, stopping distances will be at least double those required for stopping on dry roads, so it’s important you know how to drive in these conditions.

Next time you're driving in wet weather, remember to:

🚗 keep well back from the vehicle in front
⚠️ if the steering becomes unresponsive, ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually
🛢️ watch out for any spilt diesel as this will make surfaces very slippery
🚲 take extra care around pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders

For more information, read rule 227 of The Highway Code: https://ow.ly/zO7650YI7Bz

15/04/2026

95 years of The Highway Code.
When did you last read yours?

30/03/2026

📢 Remember that from tomorrow (31 March), you will only be able to make 2 changes to a car driving test booking.

A change counts as:
✅ changing the date or time
✅ changing the test centre
✅ swapping your appointment with another learner who has a test booked

If you need to make more changes after you have used your 2 changes, you will need to cancel your test and book a new one.

For more information, visit: https://ow.ly/5Fmg50YytXK

23/03/2026

Changes to the booking system are a coming!

Do you have these dates in your diary? 📅

The rules for booking and managing car driving tests are changing.

If you've got a test booked, or you're planning to book one soon, here are the key dates you need to know:

✅ 31 March 2026 – only 2 changes can be made to a booking
✅ 12 May 2026 – only learners are allowed to book a test and make changes
✅ 9 June 2026 – learners can move their booked test only to nearby centres

Find out more about these changes 👇
https://ow.ly/6uq950YvpjK

03/02/2026

The rules are a changing..........!

📢 The rules for booking a practical car driving test are changing.

From 31 March 2026, learner drivers and approved driving instructors (ADIs) will only be able to change a driving test booking up to 2 times.

A change includes:
- changing the date or time
- changing the test centre
- swapping an appointment with another learner

If you’re an ADI, please make sure your pupils only book their test when they’re ready as swapping between pupils will count towards this limit. You can set times when you're available to take your pupils to their driving tests. This stops your pupils from booking tests at times that do not work for you.

👉 When this comes into force, everyone with a driving test booked will have 2 changes available, regardless of how many changes they may have already made.

This change is part of the outcome of our consultation to improve the way driving tests are booked.

For more information, visit: https://ow.ly/oqOW50Y849H

02/02/2026

New contact centre opening hours at the DVSA.

28/01/2026

Driving in wet weather?

In wet weather, stopping distances will be at least double that required for stopping on dry roads. This is because your tyres have less grip on the road.

In wet weather:

- You should keep well back from the vehicle in front. This will increase your ability to see and plan ahead.

- If the steering becomes unresponsive, it could mean water is affecting your vehicle's grip on the road.

- Ease off the accelerator and slow down gradually.

- The rain and spray from vehicles may make it difficult to see and be seen.

- Be aware of the dangers of spilt diesel that will make the surface very slippery.

- Take extra care around pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders.

07/01/2026

⚠️ Remember to take more care when driving in snowy or icy weather, even if the roads have been treated.

🚗 As stopping distances can be 10 times greater in these conditions than when on dry roads, keep well back from the road user in front of you and be prepared for road conditions to change as you travel.

📅 If your driving test booking is affected by the weather, we will contact you directly. If you do not hear anything from us, you should turn up to your driving test as normal, providing it's safe for you to travel.

👉 If you can’t get to your driving test centre due to the conditions, please contact your test centre using the phone number provided on your booking confirmation email.

07/01/2026

Another consultation.....

We've launched a new Road Safety Strategy, aiming to cut deaths and serious injuries on Britain’s roads by 65% by 2035.

Key points include:
- tougher action on drink driving
- minimum learning periods for learner drivers
- mandatory eye tests for older drivers

We're committed to doing what it takes to save thousands of lives and ease pressure on the NHS.

Our new Road Safety Strategy is a major step towards safer roads and stronger communities.

24/12/2025

T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the night, drivers were checking their tyres, windscreens and lights. 🌃

Making sure they paid attention whilst out on the road, they drove their cars and lorries, back to their abode. 🚘

So with patience and love, please drive with great care, this Christmas, stay safe, make sure you're aware. 👀

19/11/2025

Upcoming changes to the car driving test.

We’re making some subtle but meaningful changes to the practical driving test. 🚗

You may have seen that we have been trialling changes to the driving test at 20 driving test centres.

As part of the trial, learners drove on routes containing more high-speed, rural roads during their driving test, where location allowed. Now, we are rolling out the changes to all driving test centres in Great Britain from 24 November 2025.

As well as increasing the amount of time spent on higher-speed roads, we are:

✅ reducing the number of stops during the test from 4 to 3
✅ lowering the frequency of emergency stop exercises from 1 in 3 tests to 1 in 7
✅ adding flexibility to the independent driving segment, allowing it to run for the full duration of the test

These changes are designed to help improve road safety by better replicating the conditions motorists face in the real world. They won’t affect the skills needed to take a driving test.

Find out more about the changes 👉 https://ow.ly/vMIL50Xu1bT