Prison sentences and large fines: how we’re stopping illegal driving instructors

https://despatch.blog.gov.uk/2025/10/16/prison-sentences-and-large-fines-how-were-stopping-illegal-driving-instructor/

DVSA News

From DVSA

 Frustrated by the 20% increase in test waiting times, learners are using unofficial websites, apps and brokers to leap the queue for a driving test. Using bots, these ‘brokers’ first block-book test slots – often cancellations – before selling them on to learners at a marked-up price.

For instance, the standard fee for a test is £62 but brokers can sell them for £200+ to folk wanting to snag a test within a matter of days, according to BBC research.

Bad news

While you may think that’s a sum worth paying – and we should point out that the practice is entirely legal – the Driving and Standards Agency (DVSA) has now issued warnings about what you might be risking if you do choose to go down the broker route.

First, the agency states that it does not “run, approve or endorse any cancellation finder apps or services” and that GOV.UK offers the only official driving test booking service. Additionally, using an unofficial website to book your test means you may not get important emails from the DVSA such as a change to your test date.

Lack of protection

According to the agency, there are also several privacy issues to consider. Unofficial sites are failing to offer privacy notices that comply with data protection law.

A privacy notice is an online document that explains exactly how your personal data is collected, used, shared and protected. The DVSA explains that, based on it own research, several unofficial services failed to:

• Say who was collecting your personal data or giving their contact details
• Explain the rights you have to access, rectify or delete your personal data
• Explain the legal basis for processing your personal data
• Saying how long the service would store your personal data.

Big risk?

These issues leave you open to potential fraudulent threats. DVSA Chief Executive, Loveday Ryder explains that “you should always keep your driving licence number secure. It could be invaluable to those looking to steal your identity.”

And then there is a bigger potential downside associated with using unofficial services – that you may pay the inflated fee but never actually get a test, instead get ripped off by con artists looking to make a quick and easy buck.

“NASP wholeheartedly supports any campaigns and guidance which works to dissuade learners from using third party booking apps. Taking shortcuts to queue jump and book an earlier test could come back to bite you, by losing your money, your test slot and even the potential loss or misuse of your personal data.”

• The driving instructors’ National Associations Strategic Partnership (NASP)

Small steps

The DVSA revealed to the BBC that it is trying to utilise artificial intelligence to help deal with the problem of block-booking by brokers and their bots. Its systems are now designed to stop automated systems from stepping in and block-booking tests before they can be claimed.

So far the AI approach has had some success with 283 accounts given warnings, 764 suspended and 689 closed altogether plus 4,700 accounts with no links to instructors also deleted. However, no AI system is perfect so it’s impossible at this time for the DVSA to stop the practice completely.

 CPDL advise on how to get Cheaper Car Insurance and Recommended Car sales

https://www.cpdriving-lessons.co.uk/cheaper-car-insurance-car-sales/

How the DVSA is dealing with bots and the reselling of driving tests

https://despatch.blog.gov.uk/2023/06/29/how-were-dealing-with-bots-and-the-reselling-of-driving-tests/ 

DVSA is trialling a system which takes the tests away from the current driving test centres 

Winter Driving

Driving in wintery conditions can be extremely dangerous – but there are plenty of tips and tricks to follow to ensure you’re driving safely in the snow and ice. Many have been warned not to travel but many of us will still need to drive in the wintery conditions . 

Winter car essentials  checklist - It’s always best to over-prepare if you’re undertaking a journey in the snow so here is exactly what you should pack in your car to cover all potential scenarios: Major roads will often have grit laid on them to make them safer  

Food and water – or a flask containing a hot drink 

A blanket 

A shovel 

Warm clothes and waterproofs 

Sturdy footwear 

High-vis jacket Ice scraper and de-icer 

First aid kit 

It’s important to make sure your windscreen is completely de-iced before driving  

Mobile phone and charger 

Torch and spare batteries 

Map 

Sunglasses to help with the glare from the snow 

Jump leads 

Square carpet to put under your tyres to give you leverage if you get stuck 

Snow chains 

Empty fuel can

There is plenty of advice out there for what gear is best to use if you drive a manual car during snowy conditions. 

The RAC advise drivers to ‘accelerate gently, use low revs and change up to a higher gear as quickly as possible.’ 

You should also ‘move off in second gear as this will help reduce wheel slip’ but some cars have a winter mode, which does the same job. You should check whether your car has this function in the vehicle’s handbook. 

Those looking for tips on driving an automatic car in the snow are urged to take extra care because unlike manual cars, they don’t have control of what gear they are in. However, some automatic cars will come with a L, 2 or +/- control which allow drivers to change up into a higher or lower gear in the case of snowy road conditions, so using a higher gear could help control your vehicle.

Driving Lessons and Driving Tests update from ADI (Association of Driving Instructors)

Driving Tests and Driving lessons

Based on the guidelines by UK Government and DVSA
 

DVSA Driving Tests Update 01/05/2020

From 1 May 2020 DVSA is making a temporary change to car and vocational emergency driving tests, to help reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

What will change

Our examiners will end emergency tests early if a candidates commits:

•a serious or dangerous fault

•a total of 16 driver faults

This is to help reduce the amount of time the candidate and examiner spend in the vehicle, when the candidate has failed their test.

In these circumstances, the examiner will instruct the candidate to drive back to the test centre instead of continuing for the full time, before they tell the candidate they have failed.

Is Premium fuel better than Normal fuel ?

Premium versus Normal

Practice Theory Tests

Practice Theory Tests

New Theory Test 2020

New Theory Test April 2020

Driving Lessons DVSA Guidelines and Coronavirus

DVSA Driving Lessons Guidelines 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is now rated as high according to the government

The Driving Tests are now suspended for at least 3 months however, CPDL

is still continuing training Learners. We understand the financial strain that will be required of all of us but you must remember that we will beat this virus and at some point you will be taking a test.
So, when possible, do book some lessons even if once a week,to keep up your training.
We will ask you to take some safety steps when entering the car:
- Clean your hands and use gloves (our instructors will have some gloves)
- If you need to sneeze or cough do it into the sleeve of your
clothes
- Contact your instructor if before the lesson you feel any symptoms. We will help you to achieve your driving test, just help us all to stay Safe

 

So far in 2018

Changes to the Theory Test UK

https://www.safedrivingforlife.info/blog/disability-and-theory-test

MOT changes May 2018

MOT changes May 2018

20 GENIUS Car Cleaning Hacks

8 Driving Habits That Ruin Your Car and Drain Your Wallet

Lane changing Test Fail