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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
World
Gemma Jones

DVSA announces major plans for driving test changes which will affect all learners

The DVSA has proposed plans to make major changes to driving tests.

In a key consultation, driving authorities are looking at increasing the number of days between a learner failing their test and booking a new one as well as changing the number of working days, someone has to cancel their test.

Other proposals include replacing paper pass certificates as well as plans to change how eyesight checks are performed during driving tests.

READ MORE: All Highway Code 2022 changes coming amid huge shakeup

The biggest proposal by the DVSA means that people will need to wait 28 working days before being able to book another car driving test after failing one, rather than the current 10 working days.

People would also have to give notice earlier if they wanted to move or cancel their appointment without losing their fee.

At the moment, the Government agency claims people need to move or cancel their test at least three full working days before the appointment to avoid losing their fee. We call this the short notice cancellation period.

However, this causes many appointments to be moved or cancelled right at this deadline. Many of those appointments are then not booked by anyone else, because people do not have time to make the necessary arrangements at such short notice.

The DVSA has said it hopes that gives people more chance for appointments to be used by someone else.

New eyesight proposals mean that driving examiners will be able to do the eyesight check in the driving test in any level of light - not just good daylight.

Road Safety Minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton said: "The proposals in this consultation are designed to encourage and help learner drivers to do this.

"They will also further help to reduce the longer than usual waiting times for tests that have resulted from the suspension of testing during the coronavirus pandemic.

"We also propose changes to the eyesight test and to introduce digital pass certificates. These will allow the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to test later in the day and from a wider range of locations. These changes could benefit a wider range of customers."

DVSA says the changes will help learners, and also assist in reducing the longer than usual waiting times for tests that have resulted from the suspension of testing during the coronavirus pandemic.

The consultation, accessible on the Government website, will close on March 8, 2022.

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