DD - learning to drive

Ds also had an instructor ( uni town) that kept saying to put test back. And threatened to refuse to teach him if he didn't. This was 10 days before test due.
We took absolutely no notice of that and he took the test in his own car and passed with 2 minors. So the instructor obv talking shit saying he wasn't ready. He's actually a much better driver that his sister who has had licence 10 years longer

Get it booked. You can swap later on but driving tests are like gold dust.

My DS is booking the next available test as soon as he passes his theory and will just make sure he's ready by driving everywhere he needs to go for the duration of waiting time, probably about 5 months around here. 60 hours of tuition plus the additional practice that could be fitted in on top sounds like loads.

You can only book her test after she has done her theory - you need to get into the system and go online at extactly 6am monday mornings and book a test which you can then change.

I think instructors might be put off by you putting so much pressure on someone who hasn’t ever driven before. They might be reluctant to work under this pressure themselves. What if your DD is not very good at it

My DD2 has been learning since 2021 and didn’t click at all with her first instructor and was very unhappy and felt bullied. It then took her ages to find another who messed her around. She finally has one now who keeps moving her test back. It is a lot of pressure. My DD has until next spring to pass now before the theory has to be taken again. You do not really know how someone will do with driving or if the instructor will click with them. You can move the test and the instructor will advise what’s best. You should tell the instructor about the test don’t hide it from them, they need to know what they are up against in terms of time. If the instructor is good you need to listen to their opinion not your opinion or what your DD wants because they are the teacher

My DD passed 1st time with no faults but it took 6-7 months and a change of instructor to get there - she was also despite revising for months overwhelmed by the theory test and failed first time. What I am saying is you have no idea how she will react, whether it comes naturally to her, whether the instructor is right for her etc?

My DD paid for something extra (not sure what it was) and got emails about cancelled test dates and got in a month after the instructor said she was ready.

The point is that you need to have theory test in hand in order to book practical exam. So either way you have to wait until next week. The system won't let you book it otherwise (unless things changed since last year but I doubt it).
I would book it as soon as her theory certificate is issued but be prepared to cancel as she may not be ready by then.

@BlackBean2023 most definitely, book it now!!! My daughter sat her theory on her 17th birthday and I immediately booked her test for three weeks later due to her exams! she passed first time with three weeks worth of double lessons 3times a week!

Does disagree with you at all.

I just had no clue how you became one so I googled it.

The issue is recruitment and retention of examiners, that being an examiner is hugely stressful, getting into a car with someone you dont know and often with little idea of the training they have had. Examiner salaries are poor for the responsibility, far less than the average UK wage and low down on the civil service pay bands. I am a former instructor and examiner so am speaking from first hand experience

Book for the theory as soon as you can, then as soon as she has passed it book a test. Keep up as much practice as you can, then as the test date approaches you can assess whether she is ready or you need to postpone. At least a few professional lessons are a good idea to get her test ready, as is driving the test routes for the centre she is using. Good luck to her.
My son graduated in 2020 and needed a driving licence for job applications, and it was a nightmare getting test dates. I don't know if it is any better now.

Book it then change it/swap it later if you need to. There will be someone in January wanting a test urgently, but can only book for July.

As a comparison though. I had one hour lessons per week and also did accompanied drives with my parents when I was learning at 17. I was desperate to drive, so was very focussed on learning.

I started my driving lessons the day after my 17th birthday and passed my test 17.5 weeks later.

My parents had paid for my first 17 driving lessons for me and I was determined to spend as little of my own money as possible!

Oh, and you do have to pass your theory before booking a driving test so this is all irrelevant. I think there’s a pretty high fail rate for first time theory sitting as well so absolutely hold horses for the moment.

True, but she’s already sitting the theory before starting lessons as well. And the op sorting/booking everything for asap. I know the freedom of driving is an exciting prospect but I’m wondering if it’s being pushed so quickly from the daughter or the op’s side. At just turned 17 it’s best to at least establish confidence behind the wheel before thinking of either test. I know plenty on MN will say how their teen (usually male) learned to drive perfectly after a week and how they took them out 20 hours a day to practice, but the reality is driving is something that takes time. Rushing every aspect of it isn’t a good idea. And I do appreciate the shitty inability to book a test, I had my first booked at the end of March in 2020. I don’t need to explain the nightmare of actually rebooking and sitting that followed.

My DS had practical lessons before passing theory test. Did take him 5 attempts though.

Fortunately he passed practical first time. He was 17 during lockdown so later starting lessons. I think he got a cancellation about 6 weeks in advance ( he sorted himself)

I was about to comment this. Don’t tell DD until end of the year. See if she feels comfortable with a test in a couple months. Can change it if needed.

No pressure if don't tell the daughter that the test booked.

Absolutely book it as soon as she's passed her theory.

I was advised to do this by my instructor when I was learning and the waiting times have gone up since then.

Whatever you do though, don't make the same mistake as me and book it in an area she's not familiar with. I failed three times doing that. Passed the first time I took it in my local area.

DS is having his lessons intensive style and the school books the test for him. They booked one for a friday and he had the lessons for the week before (he had been having some practice with us before) but its possible for a complete beginner to do that in a week.

They tend to get lessons quicker then we can as they are constantly looking for cancellations etc so it takes the hassle out for us.

I am learning to drive, my test is December (I booked it in may and it was the only date available) If I fail, which is obviously fairly normal for a first test, then I’m dreading waiting another 6/7 months. No cancellations pop up because tests are like gold dust in the first place so people aren’t going to just reschedule.

OP, once they have passed their theory I would definitely book a practical.

Ok did some googling a 4 week course and salary of around £30k if anyone fancies becoming a driving test examiner 😂 obviously a full driving licence needed.

🤣🤣🤣 I wonder why it has gotten so bad?! I remember 8 years ago it was bad but obviously gotten a lot worse!!

That’s madness to close the test centre.

@Poppins21 I think examining is also not very well paid so recruitment is not high.

They've even closed an exam centre near us, which is simply wrong when there is so much unmet demand for tests.