Overview
- From November 24, practical tests across Great Britain require candidates to spend more time on higher‑speed roads, including rural routes judged riskier for novices.
- Independent driving is extended to between 20 minutes and the full test, with candidates following a sat nav, traffic signs or both.
- The DVSA trial at 20 centres cut routine stops from four to three and reduced emergency‑stop frequency from about one in three tests to one in seven.
- Roads minister Simon Lightwood framed the shift as targeting a key collision risk for young drivers, while AA Charitable Trust and major driving schools welcomed the changes.
- DVSA data highlights ongoing demand pressures, with 642,000 future bookings at the end of October and 182,000 tests conducted last month, up 9% year on year.