More test slots aim to ease driving test waiting times
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced that more driving test slots will be made available to help address the large backlog of driving students awaiting tests, or having trouble finding available test slots to book.
The number of learner drivers with future tests booked has increased by 15% over the total for this time last year. DVSA data show 668,128 people had booked their practical driving test at the end of September. At the same time last year, that number was 579,138.
The government has been seeking ways to improve the driving test booking system in order to address the problem of bots automatically reserving driving test slots with the intention of selling them to waiting students at inflated prices.
Falling pass rates indicate that learners may be booking their tests before they are sufficiently trained and experienced to pass the test, thus effectively wasting valuable test slots. Consequently, officials are asking learning drivers not to book their tests until they are confident they will pass.
Steve Gooding, The RAC Foundation's director of motoring research, said: “At last, we’re seeing light at the end of the driving test delay tunnel. These figures might not be much comfort for those already in the system, but things might be about to become better for those looking to apply for tests."
New London taxi rules in force from 1st October
As of 1st October 2025, London taxi drivers will have to pass a new test. The Safety, Equality and Regulatory Understanding (SERU) focuses on drivers' English language abilities and their awareness of safeguarding, equality and disability issues.
A Traffic for London spokesperson said, “The taxi driver SERU assessment is being introduced to ensure that all London taxi drivers are complying with the standards regarding safeguarding and English language skills.”
All London taxi drivers holding a taxi driver's licence that expires on or after October 1 will be required to take the SERU test when renewing their taxi licence.
Essex police tackle the county's drink/drug driving problem
Essex Police made 328 arrests in September as part of an operation aimed at tackling drink and drug driving across the county.
September's arrests included 85 for drink driving, 169 for drug driving, 21 for failing to provide a breath test and 53 for driving while unfit through drink or drugs.
Essex's Head of Roads Policing, Adam Pipe, said, "These arrests send a clear message: we will not tolerate drink or drug driving in Essex. Our officers are committed to protecting the public and will continue to target those who put lives at risk.
"Most drivers are responsible, but for those who drive whilst over the legal limit, their dangerous decision has very grave consequences."
So far in 2025, Essex police have made more than 2,500 arrests for offences related to drink or drug driving.
AA poll reveals most annoying driver behaviours
A survey of over 12,000 motorists, conducted by the AA, shows that 27% of drivers consider tailgating to be the most irritating behaviour they experience by other road users.
Other top annoyances include drivers hogging the middle lane of motorways, people using mobile phones while driving, and drivers cutting across motorway lanes.
The full rankings of the most annoying behaviours on UK roads appear below.
- Tailgating – 27%
- Middle lane hogging – 19%
- Using a hand-held mobile phone – 16%
- Swooping (cutting across lanes) – 8%
- Speeding – 8%
- Littering – 6%
- Driving slowly – 5%
- Undertaking – 5%
- Drivers playing with a phone docked in a cradle – 3%
- Drivers playing with the car infotainment system – 2%
- People not wearing a seatbelt – 1%
Some of these behaviours represent specific offences under road laws, while others may bring charges of ‘driving without due care and attention’ or ‘dangerous driving’.
The AA's Jack Cousens said, “As well as being more mindful when driving, we need more cops in cars to help stop dangerous and anti-social driving behaviours before they spiral into more serious incidents.”
Man arrested after driving 9 miles in the wrong direction on the motorway
A man has been arrested for drink-driving after driving nine miles in the wrong direction on the M4 in Wiltshire.
Police received a large number of phone reports regarding a Ford Fiesta that had been seen driving east on the westbound carriageway of the M4, near junction 17, the Chippenham junction. Police tracked the car to a McDonald's, where they arrested a 63-year-old man, who was later released on bail pending further investigation.
