If I had a pound for every time a student jumped in the car and said, "Tarek, I heard they’re banning manual cars in the test next month!", I’d be retired on a beach in Spain by now.
The rumour mill in Birmingham is wild.
Every year, people panic that the DVSA is about to completely reinvent the wheel. And now that we are in 2026, the rumours are flying again. You might have seen TikToks claiming you have to parallel park into a tiny gap blindfolded, or that you automatically fail if you drive a diesel.
Relax. It’s not that dramatic.
But, there are some shifts happening this year that you need to know about. The test is evolving, and if you are learning in busy spots like Sutton Coldfield or Kings Heath, these changes actually matter.
Here is the no-nonsense guide to what’s new, what’s staying, and what you need to do to pass.
1. The "Eyesight" Check is getting stricter
You know the drill: before you even get in the car, the examiner asks you to read a number plate from 20 metres away.
In the past, this was pretty casual. But recently, we’ve noticed examiners at South Yardley and Kingstanding are becoming absolutely strict on this. If you can't read it clearly on the first or second try, the test is over. Boom. failed before you even turn the engine on.
The Reality: With more digital screens and dashboard tech in 2026 cars, having sharp eyes is crucial. We had a lad last month, great driver, but he forgot his glasses on test day. He squinted, guessed a 'P' was a 'B', and that was it. £62 test fee down the drain.
My advice: Go to Specsavers. Seriously. If you are squinting at the bus stop signs on the Bristol Road, get your eyes tested.
2. The Rise of the "EV" Test
This is the biggest shift we are seeing in 2026. More and more students are taking their tests in Electric Vehicles (EVs).
There is a myth going around that the test is "harder" in an electric car because of the regenerative braking (where the car slows down aggressively when you lift off the accelerator). Actually, it’s the opposite.
If you are struggling with gears or clutch control on the hills in Kingstanding, switching to an electric/automatic car is like unlocking a cheat code. You can focus entirely on the road.
Note: If you pass in an EV/Automatic, you still can't drive a manual. But honestly? In five years, who is going to be driving a manual anyway?
3. "Eco-Safe" Driving is now a Major Fail
A few years ago, "Eco-driving" (saving fuel) was just a minor thing. The examiner might mention it at the end.
Now? It’s serious. Birmingham has the Clean Air Zone (CAZ), and the DVSA is pushing hard on this. If you are revving the engine unnecessarily while waiting at the traffic lights at Spaghetti Junction, or sitting in a lower gear for ages, you can get marked down.
Its not just about saving the planet; it’s about showing you understand modern vehicle control. Smooth is safe.
4. The Sat Nav is Your New Best Friend (Or Enemy)
The "Independent Driving" section (where you follow a Sat Nav for 20 minutes) isn't new, but the routes are changing.
Examiners are using the Sat Nav to take students on trickier, slightly longer routes further out of the city centre. We are seeing more tests heading out towards the M42 roundabouts or deeper into the tricky one-way systems in Digbeth.
Don't just practice near your house. You need to be ready for the robot voice to take you somewhere you've never been.
So, has the test actually changed?
The fundamentals are exactly the same. Safety. Observation. Control.
You don't need to worry about secret new laws. You just need a good teacher.
There are plenty of "cowboy" instructors out there who will just take your cash and drive you around in circles. To give yourself the best shot at passing in 2026, make sure you are learning with DVSA-approved instructors (like us!). We get the official updates directly from the government, so we know exactly what the examiners in Birmingham are looking for this month.
The Bottom Line: Don't listen to your mate down the pub who says they failed because "the examiner didn't like his trainers." Learn the rules, master your observations, and keep calm.
Ready to start? whether you want to learn in a manual or try out an EV, drop us a message.
