Urgent driving tests changes will see less emergency stops for learners

Urgent driving tests changes will see less emergency stops for learners Noora Mykkanen Published November 20, 2025 6:37pm Updated November 20, 2025 6:37pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments The driving test is changing soon to improve its flow and better reflect real-world conditions (Picture: Shutterstock)

During your driving test, you are always told to ‘expect the unexpected’. Now in a bid to clear the huge waiting list for the big day, some pretty fundamental tweaks to the test have been announced.

Securing a valuable driving tests slot has become like scoring Glastonbury tickets.

So learner drivers are rightly nervous that if they have to retake, the average wait times are more than 20 weeks.

The DVSA is introducing three tweaks to the driving practical test from Monday (Picture: Getty Images)

In a bid to cut that down, there are now three key changes coming to the practical car driving test itself after the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) ran a trial.

Sign up for all of the latest stories

Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.

Here are the changes, which will become a permanent part of the test from November 24, 2025:

• The number of stops during a test will be reduced from four to three
• Less frequent emergency stop exercises in tests are reduced from 1 in 3 to 1 in 7
• More flexibility during the independent driving section will run for the full duration of the test, which can be following a sat nav, traffic signs or both

The changes won’t affect learners and the test will still cover all essential skills needed to drive safely and independently, the DVSA insists.

The government also announced last week that military driving examiners will be deployed to test centres to add an extra 6,500 test slots, and measures to stop bots and middlemen from taking up and reselling tests.

Why is the driving test changing?

Amanda Lane, DVSA head of driver testing and driver training policy, told Metro:  ‘Following the success of the recent trial, we’re introducing some subtle but meaningful changes to the driving test to better prepare learners for a lifetime of safe driving.    

‘High speed roads, including those in rural areas, are among the most treacherous for novice drivers.   

‘To keep all road users safe, it’s crucial that the practical driving test assesses learners on the skills required to drive in the real world.’

Road safety advocate and driving instructor Sanjib Bhattacharjee largely welcomed the upcoming tweaks, but he raised concerns over the reduced emergency stops.

He told Metro: ‘Reducing the number of stops streamlines the test, while extending independent driving better reflects the challenges of everyday journeys.

More Trending

1. 

   Missing woman found buried in shallow grave after 'flying to Florida to be killed'

   Channel: UK UK 7 hours ago By Barney Davis
2. First picture of homeless man crushed to death in back of bin lorry
3. Police officer killed in crash while responding to emergency
4. Nude charity cyclist says 'pain never ends' after being punched off bike

‘Learners will gain a more authentic experience of managing routes independently, and instructors are already preparing them for sat nav use and faster roads. For some, it may feel daunting to carry out independent driving for the full duration rather than the current 20 minutes, but with proper guidance this will build confidence and demonstrate their ability to drive safely and independently.’

He continued: ‘If time is the issue, I would suggest reducing the number of normal stops further—from three down to two—so that the emergency stop remains a consistent part of the test.

‘As a Teacher Trainer and ADI Mentor, I have noticed that even many years‑experienced drivers are not always able to stop a car safely with full control when observed in training. I am pleased that my BBC mantra (Brake Before Clutch) continues to prove useful for learners and future driving instructors alike.

‘Knowing how to perform the emergency stop correctly can save lives in real-world situations.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Arrow MORE: UK’s roads set to shrink to stop drivers trying to overtake cyclists

Arrow MORE: Drivers are faking accidents ‘crash for cash’ scam targeting thousands of motorists

Arrow MORE: How much rumoured new EV tax could cost drivers every year

Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source News Updates

Stay on top of the headlines with daily email updates.

Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign Up

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy