Jonty at Bill Plant Driving School

19/11/2025

Making adjustments to the driving test.

DVSA is making some subtle but meaningful changes to the practical driving test to help boost safety on the roads.

Following a successful 5-month trial that took place at 20 driving test centres earlier this year, learner drivers in Great Britain will spend more time on higher speed roads – such as rural roads – while on their driving test, where possible.

The adjustments, which will be rolled out from 24 November 2025, aim to give learners more real-life experience by testing them on situations they are likely to face once they can drive independently. They will not affect the skills they need to learn for their test.

In his latest blog post, Robert Green, DVSA Product Specialist for Driver, discusses the updates in full.

Following a successful 5-month trial, DVSA is rolling out some subtle changes to the practical driving test.

22/09/2025

A driving test centre and learner car
Update on driving test waiting times and driving examiner recruitment
DVSA set out its plan to reduce driving test waiting times. One of the measures is to recruit and train more driving examiners (DE).

We know one of the reasons waiting times are high is because more people want driving tests than ever before.

Recruiting and training DEs is one of the ways we can provide more tests to meet this increased demand.

Update on recruitment
Since July 2024 we have recruited and trained 271 examiners who are now in post and delivering driving tests. To add to this, there are currently:

80 trainees in training
83 booked to a future course
66 applicants who have received offers
Not everyone who passes the initial recruitment stage makes it either into, or out of, training to become permanent DEs.

We are also continuing to work towards doubling the number of examiners we can train at any one time. By increasing training capacity, we’ll be able to get more new examiners to the frontline and testing.

We are seeing more existing DEs leave the agency. If we can retain some of those examiners, while bringing new ones in, there’s a much greater chance of making additional tests available for your pupils to book.

To encourage existing examiners to stay we are introducing an incentive payment for the next 12 months. For every examiner who stays, we will keep 1,200 tests in the system.

The scheme will work alongside other measures to create more test availability, which we’ve already seen in recent statistics. In July 2025, DEs conducted over 170,000 tests. This is the highest number since March 2024.

Updates on other measures to tackle waiting times
The Future of Roads Minister is providing regular updates to the Transport Select Committee (TSC) on DVSA’s progress against the measures to tackle waiting times.

These updates are available to read on the TSC website and the most recent was published on 3 September.

In the latest letter the Minister updated that to review the current measures to reduce the driving test waiting times a taskforce was created, bringing together dedicated teams from the Department for Transport (DfT) and DVSA.

Initial findings from the taskforce highlighted the complexity of the demand picture for driving tests and DVSA have been asked by the Minister to consider what further measures could be taken.

14/08/2025

Got an available 2hr slot now Tuesday mornings 8-10am

Get in touch if you’re looking for driving lessons.

12/08/2025

Very well done to Evie on passing her driving test today on her 1st attempt and only got 3 dfs.
My 1st of many 1st time passes as an ADI 🙏👍

07/07/2025

Think you’re ready to pass your driving test.

Check this out first.

Don’t be too quick to take the jump , make sure you are fully prepared first.

How to pass your driving test by learning vital skills, managing nerves and taking mock tests. Skills you need to pass your driving test Find out about the 27 skills you need to learn to pass your driving test and be a safe driver. Managing driving test nerves Get advice about how to manage your dri...

07/07/2025

Well done Tia. Great bit of forward bay parking.
Funny really we saw so many so called experienced drivers doing so terrible at parking and Tia as a learner doing such a fantastic job.
Very well done.

20/06/2025

Evie, cracking on and reverse bay parking beautifully.

Well done Evie

19/05/2025

A very well done to Harrison and Ben who both passed their driving tests on Friday 16th.

Amazing to have 2pupils pass on the same day.

Pictures of Harrison, thank you.

23/04/2025

Some interesting changes coming about to the driving test.

It is worth a read and understanding.
Driving examiner
Trialling changes to the driving test

On 6 May 2025 DVSA will begin a trial to increase the amount of time your pupils spend on higher speed roads, including rural roads, during a driving test.

We know that rural roads are some of the most dangerous high-speed roads for novice drivers. The current killed or seriously injured statistics show 48% of casualties in young car driver collisions occur on rural roads, compared to 42% for other aged car driver collisions.

This trial aims to better replicate the challenging conditions your pupils face when they are novice drivers in the real world and help to improve road safety.

The trial will not change the content you need to teach your pupils or the length of time a driving test takes.

We will contact learner drivers with a test booked at the trial sites to make them aware about the trial and reassure them that what they need to learn or will be tested on during their test will not change.

Details on the trial
The trial will run for 3 months from 6 May 2025 at 20 driving test centres (DTC) across Great Britain. These are:

Avonmouth, Bishopbriggs, Bolton, Cambridge, Cardiff, Dudley, Halifax, Hendon, Hereford, Hornchurch, Isleworth, Maidstone, Middlesbrough, Musselburgh, Norris Green, Norwich (Peachman Way), Nottingham (Chilwell), Oxford, Portsmouth, Wakefield.

Up to 4 examiners will take part in the trial from each of the DTCs above and will use updated routes that include three changes to the test:

Reducing the amount of stops during the driving test from four to three. Currently, there are four stops on a driving test, which take place on lower risk roads with lower speed limits.

The need to find 4 slower speed areas to do these stops limits the distance that can be covered on a test, which impacts the number of high-speed roads that can be accessed.

Reducing the number of stops from 4 to 3 will allow flexibility for test routes to spend more time on higher speed roads, including rural roads.

Changing the frequency of carrying out an emergency stop (ES) from one in three driving tests to one in seven. Like the controlled stops, ES need to be done in lower speed areas which limits the distance that can be covered on tests. This again impacts on the number of high-speed roads that can be accessed on test.

Reducing the number of tests where an ES is done will increase the amount of time that can be spent on higher speed roads, including rural roads.

In addition to this, there has been no change to the frequency where an ES is done during a test since 1999. Since then, technology has improved, and the fitting of Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) became mandatory on new cars in 2004 - which have made cars much safer and less likely to skid.

Offer the flexibility to increase the time of the independent driving on the sat nav from 20 minutes currently, to the full duration of the test. Increasing the amount of time using a sat nav allows more time for the DE to test independent driving skills.

This makes the test more reflective of real life driving by providing situations that new drivers will face once they’ve passed.
Monitoring of the trial
Throughout the trial we will continue to monitor the new routes and review the impact the changes are having on tests. Once the trial has finished, we will be in touch again to updated on the success of the trial and next steps.

02/04/2025

Devon & Cornwall Police is supporting a national campaign highlighting the most common causes of fatal and serious road traffic collisions.

The Fatal Five road safety campaign runs throughout April, seeking to raise awareness of the top five issues which cause road traffic collisions and death or serious injury on the roads.

The five main reasons why people are killed and seriously injured on the roads are:

1. Not wearing a seatbelt
2. Impairment (e.g. drink/drug driving)
3. Speeding
4. Distraction (e.g. mobile phones)
5. Careless driving (e.g. middle lane hogging, poor observation and hazard awareness)
The campaign targets drivers with a focus on educating the youngest and oldest drivers – two of the most at risk groups.

Data shows older drivers as being involved in a quarter of fatalities. The most common factors attributed to older car driver collisions were ‘fail to look properly’ and ‘fail to judge another person’s path or speed.’

With young people the issues are related to speeding and distraction (such as using a mobile phone.)

The campaign also focusses on the importance of fitness to drive. Things such as age, experience, physical fitness and eyesight are critical factors for a person to be able to drive safely – both for their own safety and that of others.

Roads Policing Officer at Devon & Cornwall Police, Sgt Owen Messenger said, “Every day between four and five people are killed on our roads nationally. Not one of those drivers left home in the morning thinking they wouldn’t make it home for tea.

“It’s heartbreaking to knock on somebody’s door and have to break the news that the most precious person in their life isn’t coming home, because of something that is ultimately avoidable.”

Throughout April, the Force will be raising awareness around the Fatal Five. Activities will include face-to-face engagement events, increased visibility on roads across the region, covert patrols and social media messaging.

All drivers are urged to ensure they are safe to drive, every time they get behind the wheel

Advice and help around road safety can be found on the Force website here.

The Force also works in partnership with Vision Zero South West to improve road safety across Devon and Cornwall.

17/03/2025

Driving test short notice cancellation period to change on 8 April 2025

When we published our 7-point plan to reduce driving test waiting times on 18 December 2024, we confirmed that one of the actions would be to increase the short notice cancellation period.

We are increasing the short notice cancellation period for car driving tests from 3 clear working days to 10 clear working days. We intend to introduce this change on Tuesday 8 April 2025.

To do this, we need to change legislation. This process was started today (Monday 17 March 2025) when a Statutory Instrument was laid before Parliament to change the rules. If Parliament approves the change, it will come into force from 8 April 2025.

This change only applies to car driving tests.

Telling your pupils about the change
We’re emailing everyone with a car driving test booking to tell them what their new deadline to change or cancel without losing the fee will be. Theses emails are being sent today.

Please make sure that your pupils know about the change when you have your next lesson with them.

What happens next
We will email you again on Tuesday 8 April 2025 to confirm that the change has come into force.

We’ll also email everyone with a car driving test booking again to tell them and remind them of their new deadline.

More information
On GOV.UK you can find more information about:

why the change is being introduced
how learner drivers can still apply for a refund if they are unwell or have had a bereavement
the current and new deadlines for any car driving tests taking place from 8 April to the end of June 2025, to help you through this change
New rule for driving test changes and cancellations to reduce waiting times.

19/02/2025

You’re Invited to an Exclusive Health & Wellness Event.

We are delighted to invite you to a special event taking place at Well Brewed, 2-4 Frontfield Crescent, PL6 6RY, on Thursday, February 27th, from 18:30 to 20:30.

This is an exclusive opportunity to explore how the water we drink impacts our health and wellness.

During the evening, you’ll discover:
✅ How better hydration can enhance energy, recovery, and overall vitality.
✅ The surprising truths about water quality and its effects on your body.
✅ Simple, actionable ways to improve your health through smarter hydration choices.

As a valued guest, you will also receive a FREE gift worth £30 just for attending!

Spaces are limited to ensure a relaxed and engaging experience, so please let me know if you want to secure your spot.

We look forward to welcoming you to this enlightening evening and sharing insights that could transform your approach to health and wellness.

All the best,
Jonty & Suzanne