Bots banned from booking driving tests amid backlog

Bots and third parties will be banned from booking driving tests to help tackle a severe backlog of almost 670,000 learners.

- Mark Sweney

The Department for Transport, which has consulted on how to crack down on touts reselling test slots at inflated prices, said only learner drivers and not their instructors - would be able to make bookings.

It said only two changes could be made to a driving test booking before it would have to be cancelled.

Learners will also be restricted to test centres near the location of the original booking.

“It is good to see steps being put in place to put a stop to those touting tests to frustrated learners,” said Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation.

“Candidates stuck in the queue should at least be reassured that they aren’t being elbowed aside by those simply seeking to make a quick buck.”