Ask a pupil about the driving test.

Ever wondered what is going through a pupils mind before, during and after the driving test?

www.youtube.com/c/JamesTravis

Live interview-driver behaviour

Thursday 24 November: live interview with driving behaviour expert

We're holding a live video interview on Periscope with Dr Lisa Dorn at 1pm tomorrow.

Lisa is the Associate Professor in Driver Behaviour at Cranfield University and also the author of ‘The DVSA Guide to Better Driving’.  She’ll be answering any questions you might have on how you can become a safer, more competent and more confident driver. Find out how to take part

Speeding fines on the increase.

The introduction of smart motorways has seen a big rise in speeding fines, figures obtained by the BBC suggest.

Between 2010 and 2015, fixed penalties issued on smart sections increased from 2,000 to 52,000, according to data collated by the BBC's The One Show.

There are more than 236 miles of smart motorways in England, which use the hard shoulder and variable speed limits to control traffic flow. 

The government says they are used to improve capacity, not generate revenue.

Smart motorways are operated by Highways England, which uses overhead gantries - also containing speed cameras - to direct traffic into open lanes and change speed limits depending on the volume of traffic.

A further 200 miles of smart motorways are currently either planned or under construction.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37888207

Reducing the waiting times on driving tests.

Reducing waiting times: DVSA’s taxi driver assessments to end

From 31 December 2016 DVSA will no longer be offering a taxi driver assessment service.

We are committed to reducing waiting times for car practical driving tests. To help us to reduce these, we’ve reviewed all our services and have decided to stop offering taxi driver assessments from 31 December 2016. We currently provide this service to local authorities. We have contacted them to suggest alternative providers, such as road safety charities or representative bodies of driving instructors.

Changes to book the driving test.

Booking tests for your pupils

We've made some changes on GOV.UK to make it easier to find the services to book tests for your pupils.

The ‘DVSA practical test business service’ page is now called ‘Book and manage driving and riding tests for your pupils’ on GOV.UK. There’s a new website address for it - www.gov.uk/book-pupil-driving-test. The old one will redirect you here automatically.  The service itself hasn't changed and still works in the same way.  Theory tests The address for the service to book theory tests for your pupils has also changed to www.gov.uk/book-pupil-theory-test. The old one will redirect automatically.  The service itself hasn't changed and still works in the same way.  Register to use these services You have to be registered to use these services. If you haven't registered to use these before, you can register online.

DVSA off line

This Sunday: some DVSA online services will be unavailable

This Sunday (21 August 2016), some of DVSA's online services for driver and rider trainers won't be available due to planned maintenance.

From 9:00am to 11:00am, this will affect: book and manage your practical driving test DVSA practical test business service ADI online services (eg. renew or update your registration) Then, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm, this will affect: book and manage your theory test book and manage theory test for pupils book your instructor theory test We're sorry for any inconvenience caused.

New Theory test centre in Aylesbury

New theory test centre opening in Aylesbury

The new theory test centre in Aylesbury will be open for testing in September.

Bookings for the new centre will be open from Friday 12 August.  An additional 27 centres will be opening across the country over the next two months providing candidates with more choice of location.  Venue details DVSA Theory Test Centre The Gateway, Gateway Road, Aylesbury, Bucks HP19 8FF View map

Dealing with driving test waiting times

Despatch: dealing with driving test waiting times

There's a new blog post about what the agency is doing further to deal with driving test waiting times.

DVSA's Director of Operations, Peter Hearn, talks about the measures being taken over the next few months. This includes trialling the 'summer hours' initiative - where slots are being offered in the evenings and at weekends until October. Read 'Dealing with driving test waiting times'.

What to expect on your driving test day.

Your big day.

So you have been learning with your driving instructor or even your parents for the last 4 to 12 months how to drive.  It is only a week away from your big day(THE DRIVING TEST). 

What will happen?  Have you asked your instructor?  Have you visited the driving test centre? What do you bring to the driving test?

These and many more questions are what you will be wanting to know to prepare yourself for your driving test.

The driving test day, what to expect.

I hope this short video will help you to understand what will happen on your big day.

Good luck and safe driving.

Hemel Hemstead. New temporary site for driving tests.

Hemel Hempstead: new temporary site for driving tests

From Thursday 18 August 2016, DVSA will conduct driving tests from Hemel Hempstead Fire Station.

We’ll be conducting tests from this site every Tuesday and Thursday in order to continue providing a local service in the Hemel Hempstead area. Reason for moving DVSA has been given notice by Halfords and needs to move from its current site; the last day for testing from Halfords will be Friday 29 July. If your pupil has a test booked to take place after this date, we'll contact them separately to let them know about the new arrangements. New site details Testing will take place from the fire station every Tuesday and Thursday from the following address: DVSA  c/o Hemel Hempstead Fire Station Queensway Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP2 5HA View map

How to upgrade your automatic licence to a manual licence.

Upgrade an automatic car driving licence to a manual one

If your licence is only for automatic cars, you can upgrade it by passing a driving test in a manual car.

Learning to drive a manual car

You can start learning to drive a manual car at any time. You don’t need to apply for another provisional licence.

You must follow all the usual rules when you’re learning to drive in a manual car. This includes displaying L plates.

Book a driving test

You don’t need to take a theory test to upgrade your licence.

You have to book a driving test by phone with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). You can’t book it online.

DVSA driving test booking support
Telephone: 0300 200 1122
Monday to Friday, 8am to midday
Find out about call charges

Taking the driving test

The driving test works in the same way for a manual car as it does an automatic.

You can continue driving an automatic car if you fail your driving test in a manual car.