Asked by: David Smith (Labour - North Northumberland)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Mirror, signal, manoeuvres: Military driving examiners mobilised to cut test backlog, published on 12 November 2025, whether an impact assessment has been conducted on the changes to the driving test booking system, including on driving instructors, and vulnerable or neurodiverse learners; and what assessment she has made of the potential merits of allowing approved driving instructors to book driving tests on behalf of pupils under the new system.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country. The measures the Secretary of State for Transport announced on 12 November are designed to make the practical driving test booking process fairer, providing all learners with equal access to the booking system and ensuring that everyone pays the prescribed fee.
The decision follows a call for evidence and a public consultation that sought views from the driver training industry, learner drivers and other interested parties. In reaching this decision, impacts were fully considered. Further detail on the rationale, which will set out the detailed analysis, will be provided in the consultation report which will be published shortly.
DVSA is aware that some learners will need support to book tests, particularly those with accessibility requirements or learning difficulties. DVSA is working through the details to ensure no one is disadvantaged and will discuss practical solutions with the driver training industry ahead of implementation.
Asked by: Rebecca Paul (Conservative - Reigate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department took to communicate information regarding recent operational changes to the driving test booking system to Approved Driving Instructors ahead of those changes coming into force.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country.
The measures the Secretary of State for Transport announced on 12 November are designed to make the practical driving test booking process fairer, providing all learners with equal access to the booking system and ensuring that everyone pays the prescribed fee.
The decision follows a call for evidence and a public consultation that sought views from the driver training industry, learner drivers and other interested parties. In reaching this decision, impacts were fully considered. Further detail on the rationale, which will set out the detailed analysis, will be provided in the consultation report which will be published shortly.
The changes will come into effect from Spring 2026, and DVSA is working closely with a representative bodies group which includes national trade associations and large driving schools, to develop future communications to support and prepare the industry for the changes.
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she has taken to prevent third-party sales of DVLA practical driving tests.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country.
The measures the Secretary of State for Transport announced on 12 November are designed to make the practical driving test booking process fairer, providing all learners with equal access to the booking system and ensuring that everyone pays the prescribed fee.
In the coming months, DVSA will:
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason the DVLA continues to rely on postal correspondence for medical driving licence assessments; and whether there are plans to modernise communication methods to allow applicants to communicate with the DVLA electronically, including through email or secure digital platforms.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The table below shows the average time the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) took to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition must be investigated:
Financial Year | Working days |
2025/26 (to end of November) | 51 |
2024/25 | 44 |
2023/24 | 56 |
The table below shows the number of medical driving licence applications that were outstanding on 3 December for the periods requested:
| More than three months | More than six months | More than nine months |
Number of cases | 72,428 | 22,600 | 2,288 |
In 2024/25, the DVLA made more than 830,000 medical licensing decisions. The DVLA aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. However, driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated can take longer as the DVLA is often reliant on information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued.
The quickest way to transact with the DVLA is by using its extensive suite of online services. Drivers with diabetes, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, visual impairments, sleep conditions or heart conditions can renew their driving licence online.
The DVLA is focusing on delivering significant improvements to digital services for applicants with medical conditions but medical investigations vary widely in their complexity.
The DVLA is currently rolling out a new casework system which is expected to deliver significant improvements to the services provided to drivers with medical conditions. When fully implemented, this will provide improved turnaround times, increased capacity, increased automation, higher levels of digital functionality and increased digital communication. The DVLA is also planning to launch a new medical services platform which will enable more customers to transact online and will increase the use of email communication.
Applicants may be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing the driver can meet specific criteria. More information on this can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1180997/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average waiting time has been for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to process medical driving licence applications in each of the past three years; and what steps are being taken to reduce delays.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The table below shows the average time the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) took to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition must be investigated:
Financial Year | Working days |
2025/26 (to end of November) | 51 |
2024/25 | 44 |
2023/24 | 56 |
The table below shows the number of medical driving licence applications that were outstanding on 3 December for the periods requested:
| More than three months | More than six months | More than nine months |
Number of cases | 72,428 | 22,600 | 2,288 |
In 2024/25, the DVLA made more than 830,000 medical licensing decisions. The DVLA aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. However, driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated can take longer as the DVLA is often reliant on information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued.
The quickest way to transact with the DVLA is by using its extensive suite of online services. Drivers with diabetes, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, visual impairments, sleep conditions or heart conditions can renew their driving licence online.
The DVLA is focusing on delivering significant improvements to digital services for applicants with medical conditions but medical investigations vary widely in their complexity.
The DVLA is currently rolling out a new casework system which is expected to deliver significant improvements to the services provided to drivers with medical conditions. When fully implemented, this will provide improved turnaround times, increased capacity, increased automation, higher levels of digital functionality and increased digital communication. The DVLA is also planning to launch a new medical services platform which will enable more customers to transact online and will increase the use of email communication.
Applicants may be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing the driver can meet specific criteria. More information on this can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1180997/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf
Asked by: Harriet Cross (Conservative - Gordon and Buchan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many medical driving licence applications are currently outstanding for more than (a) 3 months, (b) 6 months and (c) 12 months.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The table below shows the average time the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) took to make a licensing decision in cases where a medical condition must be investigated:
Financial Year | Working days |
2025/26 (to end of November) | 51 |
2024/25 | 44 |
2023/24 | 56 |
The table below shows the number of medical driving licence applications that were outstanding on 3 December for the periods requested:
| More than three months | More than six months | More than nine months |
Number of cases | 72,428 | 22,600 | 2,288 |
In 2024/25, the DVLA made more than 830,000 medical licensing decisions. The DVLA aims to process all applications as quickly as possible. However, driving licence applications where a medical condition(s) must be investigated can take longer as the DVLA is often reliant on information from third parties, including medical professionals, before a licence can be issued.
The quickest way to transact with the DVLA is by using its extensive suite of online services. Drivers with diabetes, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, visual impairments, sleep conditions or heart conditions can renew their driving licence online.
The DVLA is focusing on delivering significant improvements to digital services for applicants with medical conditions but medical investigations vary widely in their complexity.
The DVLA is currently rolling out a new casework system which is expected to deliver significant improvements to the services provided to drivers with medical conditions. When fully implemented, this will provide improved turnaround times, increased capacity, increased automation, higher levels of digital functionality and increased digital communication. The DVLA is also planning to launch a new medical services platform which will enable more customers to transact online and will increase the use of email communication.
Applicants may be able to continue driving while their application is being processed, providing the driver can meet specific criteria. More information on this can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1180997/inf1886-can-i-drive-while-my-application-is-with-dvla.pdf
Asked by: Rebecca Paul (Conservative - Reigate)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of preventing third parties from booking driving test slots on the range and quality of services driving instructors are able to offer pupils.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country.
The measures the Secretary of State for Transport announced on 12 November are designed to make the practical driving test booking process fairer, providing all learners with equal access to the booking system and ensuring that everyone pays the prescribed fee.
The decision follows a call for evidence and a public consultation that sought views from the driver training industry, learner drivers and other interested parties. In reaching this decision, impacts were fully considered. Further detail on the rationale, which will set out the detailed analysis, will be provided in the consultation report which will be published shortly.
The changes will come into effect from Spring 2026, and DVSA is working closely with a representative bodies group which includes national trade associations and large driving schools, to develop future communications to support and prepare the industry for the changes.
Asked by: Liz Saville Roberts (Plaid Cymru - Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she had made of the effectiveness of the the Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The purpose of the Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023 (the Order) is to enable prosecution of the dangerous use of watercraft. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is the relevant enforcement authority. 17 potential reports have been received, and one prosecution is currently underway following an incident that occurred in Pembrokeshire in 2024.
Asked by: Jim McMahon (Labour (Co-op) - Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate has been made of the value of fines imposed on utility companies by highway authorities in England for each year from 2015 to date.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Department for Transport has not made estimates of the value of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued to utility companies by highway authorities in England and does not hold data of this nature. While it is a legal requirement to raise FPNs in Street Manager, the Department only records information on the number of FPNs raised, which authority issued them, which utility company received them, and the reason for the FPN.
Local highway authorities may hold data on the value of FPNs. The Department for Transport sets FPN amounts to encourage compliance with street works regulations. From 5 January 2026, FPNs will double from their current amount for certain offences, including working without a permit, breaching permit conditions, and failing to provide start and stop notices on time.
Asked by: Richard Holden (Conservative - Basildon and Billericay)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 November 2025 to Question 93455, whether it ceased to be her department's policy that 50% of journeys in towns and cities should be walked or cycled by 2030 when the second Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy ended in March 2025.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
Decisions on future active travel targets will be confirmed in the third Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy when it is published next year.