The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2025, effective May 15, 2025, amend the 1999 Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations.
They clarify fees for large vehicle off-road manoeuvres tests, specifying different rates depending on whether the test is conducted by a DVSA examiner or a private provider.
The regulations also mandate that fees for tests conducted by private providers be paid directly to and retained by those providers.
The Secretary of State consulted relevant organizations and obtained Treasury approval for the fee changes.
Arguments For
Improved clarity on fees: The regulations explicitly define fees for large vehicle off-road manoeuvres tests, reducing ambiguity and potential disputes.
Fairer remuneration for test providers: The changes ensure that test providers conducting these tests receive appropriate compensation.
Streamlined process: By clarifying the fee structure and payment process, the regulations aim to streamline the administrative burden on both applicants and testing providers.
Legal basis: The regulations are made under the authority of sections 89(3), (4), and (5), 105(1), (3), and (4), and 106(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, and with Treasury approval.
Consultation: The Secretary of State consulted with representative organisations before enacting the regulations.
Arguments Against
Potential for increased costs: Increased fees for large vehicle off-road manoeuvres tests may increase the cost of obtaining certain driving licences for applicants.
Unintended consequences: The change might have unforeseen effects on either the availability of testing services or the demand for certain types of licenses.
Implementation challenges: The changes may require adjustments to existing administrative systems and processes for both the DVSA and private test providers.
Alternative fee models: Alternative approaches to setting and managing fees for driving tests, perhaps considering a performance-based system, could have been explored.
The Secretary of State makes these Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 89(3), (4) and (5), 105(1), (3) and (4), and 106(2) of the Road Traffic Act 19881 (“the Act”), and, in the case of regulation 2, with the approval of the Treasury in accordance with section 105(4) of the Act.
The Secretary of State has consulted with representative organisations in accordance with section 195(2) of the Act.
The Secretary of State, in exercising the powers conferred by section 89(4)(b) of the Act in respect of the fees specified in columns 2, 3 and 4 of the Table in regulation 2(3)(b), has taken into account the costs of the functions and the matters specified in respect of that section in the Department of Transport (Fees) Order 19882.
These regulations are legally authorized by specific sections of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
The Treasury approved the changes to regulation 2.
The Secretary of State consulted relevant groups before creating the regulations.
The costs of administering the changes were also considered during the process.
Citation, commencement and extent
- (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2025 and come into force on 15th May 2025.
(2) These Regulations extend to England and Wales and Scotland.
The regulations' official name is the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2025.
They become effective May 15, 2025, and apply across England, Wales, and Scotland.
Amendments to the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 2. (1) The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 19993 are amended as follows.
(2) In regulation 35 (fees in respect of manoeuvres tests, large vehicle off road manoeuvres tests, practical tests or unitary tests)— (a) in paragraph (2), in the opening words, omit “large vehicle off road manoeuvres test,”4; (b) in paragraph (3), in the opening words, omit “large vehicle off road manoeuvres test,”; (c) after paragraph (3), insert—(3ZZA) Subject to paragraph (4), in the case of a large vehicle off road manoeuvres test which—(a) is to be conducted by a DVSA examiner5, and (b) is for a licence authorising the driving of a motor vehicle of a class included in a category or sub-category specified in column 1 of the Table in Schedule 5, the fee payable is that specified in relation to that category or sub-category in column (4) of that Table. (3ZZB) In the case of a large vehicle off road manoeuvres test which—(a) is to be conducted by a large vehicle off road manoeuvres test examiner6, and (b) is for a licence authorising the driving of a motor vehicle of a class included in a category or sub-category specified in column 1 of the Table in Schedule 5, the fee payable is that specified in relation to that category or sub-category in column (5) of that Table. (3ZZC) The fee payable under paragraph (3ZZB) is to be paid to and retained by the large vehicle off road manoeuvres test provider7 as remuneration.
(3) In Schedule 5 (fees for practical tests or unitary tests: vehicles of categories other than AM or A)— (a) in the Schedule heading, for “or unitary tests” substitute ““, unitary tests or large vehicle off road manoeuvres tests”; (b) for the Table, substitute— [Table showing fees for various tests]
This section details the amendments made to the 1999 Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations.
Specifically, it modifies regulation 35 concerning fees for driving tests, removing references to "large vehicle off-road manoeuvres tests" and introducing new numbered paragraphs to specify fees for these tests conducted by DVSA examiners and private examiners.
The fees differ depending on the test's timing (normal or out-of-hours) and the type of vehicle.
It also mandates that fees for tests conducted by private large vehicle off-road manoeuvres test providers are paid and kept by the provider.
The schedule of fees is appended to the regulations and amended to reflect the addition of this test.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport Lilian Greenwood Parliamentary Under Secretary of State 23rd April 2025 Department for Transport
We approve regulation 2 Jeff Smith Anna Turley Two of the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty’s Treasury 22nd April 2025
This section contains the signatures of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and two Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury, signifying their approval and authorization of the regulations.
Note the dates of approval.
Explanatory Note (This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations amend regulation 35 of, and Schedule 5 to, the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999/2864) to specify the fee payable for the large vehicle off road manoeuvres test. They also make provision for the fee payable for such a test conducted by a large vehicle off road manoeuvres test examiner to be paid to and retained by the relevant large vehicle off road manoeuvres test provider. A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.
This is an explanatory note, not legally binding.
It summarizes the regulations and states that a full impact assessment was deemed unnecessary due to a lack of anticipated significant impact on any sector.