Driving Test Rules to Change in Bid to Stop Bots Booking Slots

The Transport Secretary has introduced new measures designed to tackle the persistent backlog of driving tests in the UK. These changes are primarily aimed at preventing automated bots from booking test slots and selling them on the black market, a practice that has been causing significant delays for legitimate learner drivers.

Currently, the driving test booking system in the UK has been overwhelmed by bots, which are automated programs designed to capture available slots as soon as they become available. This practice has led to a thriving black market where these slots are sold at inflated prices, leaving many learner drivers frustrated and unable to secure a test date.

New Measures Announced

In a recent announcement, the Transport Secretary outlined a series of measures to curb this issue. These include enhancing the security of the online booking system by implementing CAPTCHA and two-factor authentication, which will make it more difficult for bots to access the system. Additionally, only learner drivers will be allowed to book their tests, as evidenced by the new requirement to provide a valid provisional driving license number during the booking process.

Further measures include limiting the number of tests that can be booked from a single account within a particular timeframe and increasing penalties for individuals caught selling test slots on the black market.

Industry Reactions

Driving instructors and learner drivers alike have welcomed these changes. Many have expressed frustration over the difficulty in securing a test date due to the prevalence of bots, and they hope these new measures will lead to a fairer system.

Munira Wilson, an advocate for driving test reform, has been particularly vocal about the need for these changes. She praised the government’s action, stating that it was a necessary step to ensure fairness and accessibility for all learner drivers.

Looking Forward

The implementation of these new measures is expected to take place over the coming months. While there is optimism that these changes will alleviate the current backlog, the government will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the effectiveness of these measures.

The Department for Transport has assured the public that they are committed to providing equal opportunities for all learner drivers to book their tests and are working closely with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to ensure a smooth transition.