Why does the DSA only let me change my test three times?

We hear from learner driver after learner driver who has got absolutely no clue that the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) only let you change your practical test date up to three times. There is no indication anywhere on their main website, or on the practical test booking website that this is the case (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/Doitonlinemotoring/DG_197300 - specifically says you can change your date as long as your instructor is available).

The first time most people realise it, is when they have already changed their practical test date twice, and start seeing a message when they log in to the DSA site saying 'You can only change your test details one more time'.

The problem is, that if you aren't aware from the start that you can only make three changes to your test date, you may waste two changes (say moving your date earlier by a day or two), and then be stuck with a test many months away, and only one chance to change it. In this situation, if one comes up a few weeks earlier, it is impossible to know whether to change it, or to hold out for an even closer test.

But fear not. There is a way round the DSA's arbitrary restriction on test date changes (though it is not without a little risk). You need to cancel your current booking, you will receive a full refund from the DSA (as long as your test isn't within the next few days). You can then rebook, and voila, you will have three more changes to make to your test. The risk is that you won't be able to get the date you've just cancelled when you rebook, and will have to settle (at first) for a more distant date.

Lots of people looking for driving test cancellations use this approach, as it gets them a fresh set of three changes, and second time around they will know not to waste them.

I think the DSA needs to do one of the following:

1.) Remove the arbitrary and unnecessary limitation that only allows people to change their practical driving test date three times. It serves no discernible purpose, and just makes life harder for pupils and instructors who need to change their test date multiple times for perfectly valid reason.

2.) Put a clear indication, every time you use the DSA test booking service, that you are only allowed to change your test date three times (don't save this message until you've already done so twice as happens at the moment). Then people are much less likely to get caught by surprise after already having made two changes to their test date, be forced to cancel and rebook their test.

It is hard enough trying to find a decent driving test date without silly restrictions being put on the system.

I've emailed the DSA asking for why the system works like this, so I'll update when I hear back from them.