How long is the wait for a driving test?

[HmmmmmmInteresting]

How long is the wait for theory and practical tests these days? I heard there was a bit of a backlog since covid.

[quote imumme]@NannyAndJohn

Where is that?? It's shocking!! [/quote]
Home counties. It's a fucking joke. Will probably end up being at least four years between DD's first lesson and her test.

Just tried to book one. Only slots anywhere anytime were a couple in Southampton in November.

Blimey someone said September 2022 on a local FB group and I thought they'd made a typo.

This is really heaping the pressure on if you have a test because you know you just can't fail but 50% of people do . Not to mention the hassle with theory tests expiring.

At Christmas just before the tier 4 restrictions came in they were offering tests on Saturdays in our area but my son's instructor says they just don't have the examiners to do that. They have to do something. Giving people another year on their theory tests would be a good start.

Oct s Yorkshire

@ab21 I have and they work.Failed 3 weeks ago,booked for Oct then got one for this Satm

[quote BrownEyedGirl80]@ab21 I have and they work.Failed 3 weeks ago,booked for Oct then got one for this Satm[/quote]
Thank you. Presumably the cancellation options are all in the next day or two?

Testi works, the tend to release tests on Tuesdays usually around
9/10am. Currently releasing tests for the end of November in S Wales. You have to be quick though. Cancellations crop up a lot but again you have to be quick and willing to use a different test centre if you want one quickly. I had a test for Feb, managed to move it to Christmas Eve only for us to go into lockdown. My test is now tomorrow so fingers crossed I pass. You can find tests
For this year you just have to be patient and quick

@ab21 no.Last time it was 6 weeks later

5 weeks for theory
6 months for practical

That’s a lot of expensive lessons to keep paying for, all the instructors have waiting lists for new learners so can’t not keep our slot.

Does anyone know if test centres are operating at full capacity or are they only running limited numbers of tests due to Covid restrictions?

I've been looking multiple times a day for spaces since April and not a sausage! 2 tests cancelled due to lockdowns and the arrival of DS scuppered the most recent one ,hmph.

@Hardertobreathe

5 weeks for theory 6 months for practical

That’s a lot of expensive lessons to keep paying for, all the instructors have waiting lists for new learners so can’t not keep our slot.

My DS hasn't got his test booked until Oct so his instructor has suggested he goes to once a month lessons (with practice with me) to save money

Currently trying to book a test, there is literally nothing. I have to click on everyday of the calendar and search that way, is this right or am I missing something ? It seems like a total faff to search one day of the month at a time just to be told in the next page "no dates found"

Earliest dates here are March 2022. Only 45 percent of people pass first time.

March 2022 for practical test here.
Theory has good availability though.

@PixieDust28 @JustKeep where are you guys ?

If it gives people hope, our driving instructor is of the opinion that the examiners are being on the lenient side at the moment. She's had 20 tests in the last couple of months and only one failure.

This is awful . I passed my test in February 2020. It was my 4th attempt and if I had failed that time I doubt I'd have managed to get another one before we went into lockdown. I would probably still be sitting here now unable to drive as it took me about 20 months to learn. I really feel for everyone who is trying to book a test