The DVSA isn't just changing how you book your driving test in 2026 — it's changing the test itself. The practical test is getting a significant content overhaul, with more time on real roads and less time on rehearsed manoeuvres.
What's changing
Independent driving
20 min
up from 10 minutes
Normal stops
3
down from 4
Emergency stop
1 in 7
down from 1 in 3
Why more independent driving matters
The independent driving section — where you follow road signs or a sat-nav without turn-by-turn instructions from the examiner — is doubling from 10 to 20 minutes. This is now the largest single portion of the test.
The logic is straightforward: real driving is mostly independent. You're not told which way to go. By testing this for longer, the DVSA gets a much clearer picture of whether you can actually navigate, make decisions, and respond to road conditions on your own.
💡 Tip: Don't panic about sat-nav navigation. Taking a wrong turn isn't a fault — the examiner is watching how you drive, not whether you follow the route perfectly. A safe, well-executed wrong turn scores better than a panicked last-second lane change.
More time on faster roads
With fewer normal stops (3 instead of 4) and a rarer emergency stop (1 in 7 tests instead of 1 in 3), the test frees up time for driving on faster roads — dual carriageways and higher-speed A-roads. This reflects feedback that too many new drivers pass the test without ever driving above 30 mph during the exam.
What stays the same
- Test duration: approximately 40 minutes of driving
- Show me, tell me: still 2 vehicle safety questions
- Manoeuvres: still 1 reversing manoeuvre per test
- Pass mark: no more than 15 minor faults, zero serious or dangerous faults
How to prepare
If you're preparing for the practical driving test, focus on:
- Practising with a sat-nav in unfamiliar areas — this builds genuine independent driving skill
- Getting comfortable on dual carriageways and A-roads at 50–60 mph
- Lane discipline at roundabouts — still the most common reason for serious faults
Sources: driveJohnson's · Total Loss GAP · Kwik Fit