Thousands of learner drivers across the UK will now face a revised driving test format as part of a three-month trial launched by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). The changes, which began on Tuesday 6 May 2025, affect 20 test centres and are designed to help new drivers build experience and confidence on higher-speed roads, including rural routes, which are currently overrepresented in young driver collision statistics.

Why the DVSA is Changing the Test Format

Figures show that 48% of all young driver casualties occur on rural roads, compared to 42% among drivers of other age groups. The DVSA’s changes aim to address this imbalance by making practical driving tests more representative of the situations new drivers are most likely to encounter after passing.

Rather than focusing heavily on low-speed urban areas, the trial routes will now place greater emphasis on high-speed driving conditions. These environments pose unique challenges, such as sharp bends, limited visibility, and less forgiving road surfaces, all of which demand stronger decision-making skills.

To make room for more rural driving time within the existing test duration, the DVSA has made specific adjustments to the structure of the test. One of the most notable changes is the reduction in the number of required stops, from four to three. Traditionally, these stops were made in low-speed areas, which limited how far and how fast the learner could drive during the test. With fewer stops, examiners can extend the test route to include roads where speed limits are higher and traffic conditions more varied.

Key Trial Changes Learners Need to Know

Although the core competencies assessed during the driving test remain the same, several format changes will affect the flow of the test. Candidates due to take their test at one of the trial locations will be notified by the DVSA, who will also provide assurance that they are not being tested on any new skills.

Another significant change involves the emergency stop (ES) manoeuvre. Previously, this was conducted in one out of every three tests. Under the new trial format, this will be reduced to one in every seven. Emergency stops must be carried out in low-speed zones, which, like the fixed stops, reduce the examiner’s ability to incorporate more varied driving environments into the route.

By reducing the frequency of emergency stop tests, more time becomes available for learners to demonstrate safe driving habits at higher speeds. This change aims to shift the emphasis from rare manoeuvres to the practical, everyday skills that drivers use regularly—particularly those that come into play when travelling on less predictable rural roads.

A third change under review is the potential extension of the sat nav-led independent driving segment. Currently set at 20 minutes, the DVSA is considering whether this part of the test should last for the entire driving test. This would allow examiners to assess how candidates make decisions when following navigation instructions in real-time, mirroring the types of situations new drivers will likely face on a daily basis.

Trial Test Locations and What Comes Next

The trial is running at 20 DVSA test centres, including locations such as Bolton, Cardiff, Cambridge, Portsmouth, and Wakefield, among others. These sites were selected to provide a mix of urban and rural driving conditions to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed changes in different parts of the country.

At the end of the three-month period, the DVSA will analyse the outcomes and feedback from examiners and candidates. This data will be used to determine whether the changes should be rolled out nationally.

By focusing more on higher-speed and rural driving environments, the DVSA hopes to improve new driver readiness and ultimately reduce the number of accidents involving inexperienced motorists. The agency has made it clear that while the structure of the test may be evolving, the essential driving skills being assessed remain unchanged.

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