There is a website which can automatically check for driving test cancellations - for a reasonable fee.
This could prove invaluable for those desperate for a test date. In my limited experience, it does work.
www.drivingtestcancellations.co.uk

Lord AdonisIt has been announced today that instructors and drivers accompanying learners will not be made to sit in the back of the car during the driving test.

In a victory for common sense, Lord Adonis (Transport Minister) said that the new proposals "have been reversed to avoid unnecessary regulation"

The only relevant change is that the learner will be asked by the examiner at the start of their test whether they want their accompanying driver to sit in during the test.

Press coverage:
Daily Mail

Harriet HarmanIt has been widely reported in the press that Harriet Harman had a collision with a parked car - while using her mobile phone.
She allegedly told onlookers, "I'm Harriet Harman - you know where you can get hold of me," before leaving the scene.
It will be interesting to see how the police and legal system handle this offence. Will it be one rule for them, and another for us?
Read more about this in the press:

• Guardian
• Mirror
• Telegraph
• Daily Mail

The Driving Standards Agency are really getting up to date, and using Twitter and YouTube to keep us all better informed.

Their YouTube channel has several videos including "In the Driving Seat" (a fifteen minute drama, aimed at 15-16 year old pre-drivers) and "Are You Ready?" - advice for theory and practical test candidates.

And like Stephen Fry, Britney Spears, Jonathan Ross and Arnold Schwarzenegger (top 50 twitterers) the DSA are twittering all their latest news.

How long before you can book a test on twitter...

A learner from Romford, Essex, passed her test with only five driving faults. Four hours later a fed up Cara Griffiths got a phone call from the DSA telling her that the test was invalid!

A DSA spkesman said:
"We apologise for what was a genuine mistake. The examiner missed out one of the manoeuvres which made the test illegal."
"We have offered a free re-test and will bring someone in especially for this so the candidate is not waiting weeks."
"We would like her to get in touch as soon as possible. We are very sorry and understand how disappointed she must be."

At the end of September, theory test candidates will have to read a "case study" and answer five questions on it.

The questions will stay the same, but will relate to the case study.

Here is an example of a case study:

Did you know that in September 2010 the DSA wants all learners taking their test to be accompanied by their driving instructor?

As an instructor, I sit in the back of my car on the majority of tests. This is helpful, especially if the candidate is unlucky enough to fail. But some learners don't want me there. It's their choice - at the moment.

I thought it was the first of April when I read about the boss of the British School of Motoring and his speeding offences.
Not because he had notched up an amazing 17 (yes SEVENTEEN) points on his licence.
Not because he had the audacity to refuse to tell police who was driving his car when caught speeding on camera.
Not even because he is the "Boss" of the UK's biggest driver training organisation.

A learner was left in the lurch when an examiner refused to conduct their driving test - because their car was filthy.

Read more here

The UK driving test was introduced in 1934, and made compulsory in 1935. How times have changed - look out for the driver flicking cigarette ash out of the window!

In an effort to introduce "real world" driving to the driving test, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) will introduce night time tests, by the beginning of April 2010 at the latest.

Most of us want to pass first time, but not everyone can. The pass rate for the whole of the UK is around 43% - so a lot of us are going to be disappointed.
If you really want to fail, and get into that 57%, try these top ten tips:

• 10 - Be rude to the examiner.
  Examiners do seven tests a day, five days a week, and maybe more on saturdays. They have seen it all before. Red lights ignored, speeding, reversing up kerbs, it won't surprise them. So why not make their job even harder by being rude to them? Let them give the benefit of the doubt to all those candidates who try to be polite and show a little respect.
• 9 - Don't bother looking around when you reverse.
  Sure, you're taking your test, but why bother checking that there are no drivers or pedestrians around? Just keep going backwards regardless. That door mirror on the left is so useful...

If only all parking problems could be sorted out like this:

Taken from the excellent XKCD site, which has occasional adult language and themes.

... with our money!

The test fee is rising again. Currently, a practical test costs £56.50, but from the 30th of March 2009 the fee rises to £62.00 - an increase of a fraction under 10%!

If you have the cheek to want to take a test on a Saturday, the fee rises from £67.00 to £75.00 - a whopping 11.9% rise.

The theory test (sub contracted to private operators) rises from £30.00 to £31.00 - a mere 3.3% increase.

Just how much notice do you take of what's going on around you when you're out and about on the road?

Do the test and see if you really are switched on.

Clever...