To think the government need to pull their fingers out of their backsides with regards to driving tests?

There’s driving instructors, but not enough examiners. The instructors are spending far longer with each student because the wait for tests is so long.

Exactly. I don't think this was a thing when I booked my test, although waiting times were still 3-4 months, but it seems so easy to solve. So it must be that there is no appetite from the DVLA/government to solve it.

Isn't the lack of driving instructors the underlying problem?
If this is added to the list of jobs that no one is willing to do for the money that's on offer, what then??

It's another example of failure to respond to known issues..without an inquiry or Committee.

The issues are well known, just no clamp down on illegal activities. Can't actually blame Labour too much because last government had yhe issue for several years BUT if this was private sector we know it would be resolved (not saying it should be privatised as that will make it worse) just no accountability within government departments.

Well surely that makes this problem super easy to solve ?

Thank you!!

It's team work and my DC help me in return. If I said they didn't help me, some corner of Mumsnet would be up in arms - they literally cannot win.

Plus, it drives me and DD17 crazy that she's not legally an adult until she is 18 (although definitely more mature than some of the adults in our family 😜), but lots of places will charge her the same price as an adult or consider her as one.

Testi used to be good but not any more. There is another app which is much better but is not unavailable to download. I think we're on a waiting list or something.

It’s a classic example of government overreach. Centralisation doesn’t always help. Test centres should have their own booking systems, whereby you can give them a ring and book on the phone, like we used to. My test was about 2 weeks after I booked before all this nonsense started.

We have also had the problem of not being able to find a driving instructor who teaches using a manual car.

Testi is shit

Thank @KassandraOfSparta

That's kind , I hope so 🤞

It’s that bad now that I think that experienced driving instructors ought to be able to test each others pupils say if they have had 30 lessons or something. We managed to get round a levels and GCSEs during the pandemic by allowing teachers to make judgements ( yes I’m sure they were inflated, but this is a temporary measure).

The driving instructor that taught me also taught my kids! He must be experienced enough to judge. He’s been doing it for years. Perhaps if he went out several times with a different pupil and then came to a judgement? Maybe even from the next centre / town over or something? They actually practise test routes and all the manoeuvres. It can’t be rocket science.

A few months of this and they could clear the backlog. Or maybe only driving instructors can book a test for their pupils. I’m not sure how these sniping tools manage to pick up all the tests? I think a purely temporary measure like this would help clear the backlog.

I agree it is still impacting young people enormously, especially in rural areas with poor public transport. Also it’s financially crippling to keep having lessons when they don’t need them. I know a young person who couldn’t start their apprenticeship due to not being able to get a test. My DC was lucky to be able to learn on and off during the pandemic as she was working so we could get her to drive to work. She went to uni for a term then managed to get a test at the first Christmas back with only 1 hour practise beforehand! Luckily she managed to pass first time or she would have been looking at March or later for a second test , by which time her theory test would have run out!

It infuriates be about these pointless consultations, it’s obvious what to do to temporarily clear the backlog!

Try the Testi app if not already mentioned. Sorry not read the full thread OP.

It's appalling and really limiting kids job opportunities when leaving school if they live anywhere with rubbish public transport.

I think it’s because you CAN book more than one test so the bots get hold of one set of details and book hundreds of slots under that name/number. Seems to be easily rectified by making it one slot per licence number but what do I know!

Jeremy Vine did an item on it a while back and I’m sure this is what they said was happening.

My 17-year old is either at school, or working during the holidays in a pub kitchen. I am around at the times when notifications pop up. Plus he is SEVENTEEN which is not an adult. He is a schoolboy still.

Mine cant

It was 4th time lucky for my eldest with ADD and other issues, @HeBeaverandSheBeaver. Fingers crossed.

Yep. Dd failed 3 times and now we are waiting for test in her preferred town again in October. I booked it in bloody May. We have paid for a cancellation before which a hated idea of but her preferred town never came up and then you have to rush around doing test runs in the town that comes up. Not ideal for a high pressure exam.

She is also audhd but is a good driver now and drives with me regularly. I'm praying it's 4th time lucky for her.

It's cost a fortune!!!

When my other kids learned a couple of years ago it was easier - we had the Testi app which alerts you to slots and you log in and book. Apparently now though there is another app (currently closed to new users) where you enter your availability and when a slot comes up matching your criteria it automatically books it for you. So any new slots are gone within 2 or 3 seconds.

The whole system is broken though.

It definitely got a lot worse between my two kids. They both booked the first available test and then I spent ages trying for a cancellation. I managed with ds but didn’t with dd so she had to wait. We’re in NI and if there’s a booking app here I wasn’t aware of it.

Oh and they both checked too but I did the bulk of it because they were at school most of the day so weren’t available!

Yes, son passed theory at the beginning of January, and first practical test available (about. 4 hour drive away, nothing at any of the 5 test centers within an hour) was in July. He’s signed up with 2 of the cancellation apps, and has currently got one booked at a local centre in October. If he fails, there’s a risk he’ll time out from his theory. Disgusting.

DS was 17 in June and passed his theory a week after his birthday, we immediately booked a test even though he had barely started lessons. Problem is, the test is booked at a centre miles away and there are never any cancellations closer.

It is a HUGE mess. Mainly caused by comparatively low wages for examiners, if you're qualified to that level, you're much better off teaching than examining.

Consultation?? if only we could fix the UKs problems with "Consultations"

We lead the world in these useless things, where nothing gets decided and by the time they report, a whole load of new issues have arisen.... but we'll have another consultation to fix those.....

Perhaps because his parents are paying for it not him?

I don't understand how they're mass booking slots?
You need your name, driving licence number and confirmation of theory test pass to book. I believe you can then only book one practical test, you can't have multiple booked. So how are they getting around this?