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Original poster

Driving test booking madness

34 replies

blobbyshouse · 25/10/2025 21:07

Anybody else frustrated with this?
Failed my test earlier this week (disappointingly messed up my manoeuvre, did well on the actual driving part with only 1 minor)
Went to book another test and absolutely no slots available. Looked up other test centres across the country and also nothing. I will have to look at 6AM Monday and hope I am fast enough to grab one in six months time.
I understand there’s a backlog but, looking online, there are third-party sites with plenty of slots available in coming weeks and months. All for at least 3x the cost. I have also found news articles from over 2 years ago promising the government are going to crackdown and solve the issue of bots buying tests 🤨
Just very frustrating! 😩

OP posts:
Shinyandnew1 · 26/10/2025 17:47

Washinginthesun · 25/10/2025 21:17

Highly recommend the FastPass app. Costs £50 in addition to test fee but got tests within 2 weeks both times I’ve used it this year.
I know you shouldn’t have to use a third party but if you are desperate, it works.

Is that £50 + test fee every time you have to book a test, or is the £50 a one-off?

BittyItty · 26/10/2025 17:29

I passed on my 4th attempt. I couldn’t get a test date was a week from my theory expiring. I’d booked via the official website previously but out of desperation I used drive bot.

olderthanyouthink · 26/10/2025 17:25

how did you get the first test without noticing this problem?

I had success with the book any test and the. Use apps to move it, test shift did it in the end but it still took a while.

Panicmode1 · 26/10/2025 17:19

We've just been through this with DC3 - booked a test miles away and then sat on Testi (I think it was that one) - managed to get a convenient cancellation at our home test centre within a week....praying he passes so we don't have to go through the rigmarole again (DS1 took 4 tries....in Covid, so as well as almost being bankrupt I had no hair from trying to navigate the whole diabolical system!!)

Chiseltip · 26/10/2025 16:58

The government have absolutely no intention of doing anything about this. The less people who can drive the better, as it fits with their Net Zero goal.

They don't want you having the ability to drive.

Changecross · 26/10/2025 16:53

It’d the most frustrating thing ever. It should allow you to show which test centres have appointments rather than have no appointments. And why the hell hasn’t the government stopped the bots yet??? It should be the easiest thing ever!!! You book a test. You’re not allowed to cancel or change it, or change the driver taking it. That’s all they have to do to stop the bots. Why don’t they do this???

Does anyone know if you are more likely to get a test date if you use an instructor? We don’t want to have to use an instructor purely to get a test date but are coming up against a brick wall on this. My child just wants to be able to sit a driving test.

Changecross · 26/10/2025 16:47

Do you need to have for a test date you want to change your use FastPass?

We can’t get anything at all. I’ve been on the last four Monday’s at 5:50 onwards. Not in a queue but by the time I enter my details at 6:01 there are no tests available at any time at any test centres within 200 miles of here. Where am I got wrong? Do all of the bots get them before I can enter the licence number? Its such a broken system it’s unbelievable.

Original poster
blobbyshouse · 26/10/2025 16:39

Washinginthesun · 25/10/2025 21:17

Highly recommend the FastPass app. Costs £50 in addition to test fee but got tests within 2 weeks both times I’ve used it this year.
I know you shouldn’t have to use a third party but if you are desperate, it works.

Thank you I’ve downloaded it and put in auto booker so fingers crossed.

OP posts:
Washinginthesun · 25/10/2025 21:17

Highly recommend the FastPass app. Costs £50 in addition to test fee but got tests within 2 weeks both times I’ve used it this year.
I know you shouldn’t have to use a third party but if you are desperate, it works.

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