By The Acclaim Team on 03rd September 2025 in News
A Must‑Read Guide for Learners and Parents on DVSA’s New 10‑Day Rule
If you're planning your driving test or helping your teen navigate the process, there's a critical update you need to know, and it could cost you.
On 17 March 2025, the DVSA confirmed a major change to its cancellation policy. Starting 8 April 2025, learner drivers must provide 10 full working days’ notice to change or cancel a car driving test without losing their fee.
That’s up from the current 3 days. The DVSA says this aims to reduce test appointment waste and shorten waiting times, but it also means more planning and foresight are now essential.
Understanding the New DVSA Rules (Quick Facts)
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Before 8 April 2025 |
After 8 April 2025 |
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Must cancel within 3 full working days (Mon–Sat) |
Must cancel/change within 10 full working days |
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Any earlier, you get the fee back |
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Rule applies only to car driving tests |
Other tests (theory, motorbike, instructor) unchanged |
Working days: Monday through Saturday (not Sunday or public holidays). So if your test is on a Wednesday, you'd need to cancel by the Saturday before last.
Why the DVSA Changed the Rules
The DVSA wants to reduce wasted test slots. Last year, around 60,000 no‑shows clogged the system, slots that other ready learners couldn’t grab.
By giving longer notice, the DVSA hopes cancellations will be less last‑minute, freeing up more appointments and helping reduce waiting times overall.
5 Smart Tips to Avoid Losing Your Fee
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Mark 10 working days (2 calendar weeks) as your cancellation cutoff. Use our revised checklist or app to track.
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Plan your lessons so you're ready in advance. Don’t leave the test until near the end of your block.
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Use Acclaim's booking support - we’ll schedule with DVSA rules in mind, so your slot isn’t wasted.
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Stay flexible - if readiness fluctuates, consider booking further ahead to build in a buffer.
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Stay informed - we’ll send updates via email or SMS when we see your test slot may be at risk if canceled late.
What This Means for Waiting Times and Your Booking Strategy
Thanks to this change and other measures, like recruiting more examiners and cracking down on bots, the government now expects to reduce average waiting times to around 7 weeks by summer 2025.
But that doesn’t happen without smart planning on your part. Now more than ever, booking strategy, instructor coordination, and readiness are what make the difference between a smooth pass and getting stuck waiting, or losing your fee.
Cancellation‑Proof Strategy
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Book the driving test when you're 80% confident of readiness
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Schedule a buffer lesson 2 weeks before the test
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If you cancel between 3 and 10 working days, book immediate replacement lessons to stay test‑ready
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Use our Acclaim lesson reminder service to never miss your cutoff
DVSA’s new cancellation rule is here and it matters. Provide 10 days of notice, or your test fee disappears.
But with clear planning, expert support, and the right timing, this rule shift can work in your favour - helping you lock in a test when you're truly ready.
If your driving test has been delayed and you haven’t been behind the wheel in a few weeks (or months), now is the perfect time to book a refresher lesson. It’s a great way to rebuild confidence, brush up on key manoeuvres, and make sure you’re fully test-ready. Our instructors will tailor the session to your needs, so you go in calm, focused, and prepared.
