How the hell can I book a driving test?

[bendmeoverbackwards]

Are there any tips in how to book a driving test? Dd needs a test in July/August at a choice of 2 test centres but it keeps saying no tests available on any day every time we try.

I tried one of those apps that finds cancellations but it was useless - they kept offering me tests with less than 24 hours notice.

Is there a time of day or a particular day in the week that I might have more success?

Ds was told by his instructor that there is currently an 18-20 week wait in our area for a test.
Not sure if it's the same everywhere but if it is you'd be very lucky to get one in the summer.
It's so depressing. Ds had his cancelled with no reason last month and has just managed to get a new date at the end of April using the testi app. He is still at school so can be quite flexible but once his a levels start he won't be.

DS used an app. He had 3 days notice for his test.
Are you using an app that you need to pay for?

I'm having the same issue in London. Can't get a test for love nor money. It would be useful to know the app.

You just have to book any test, anywhere, anytime, then sign up to the testi app, then in July/August when she is ready, get the alerts. If she is really ready, then it doesn't matter if it is the next day, as long as she can get access to her training car.

DD is 20, she has been learning on and off since 17, Covid and cancelled lessons and tests, then a failed test, has meant we spent several hundred pounds already and her paper test is running out soon. Thousands of other students are in the same boat, so the demand is crazy high.

You need to be waiting for 6am on a Monday morning for when dates are released.

There'll be nothing available till then.

Refresh, constantly. I sat with a cup of tea constantly refreshing.

Then the bastarding thing was cancelled because of weather, but they could magic one up 3 weeks later as a replacement. I’d had to book 4 months in advance!

Thank heavens he passed

Our area is 6 to 9 month wait.

I think it depends on where you are. I got one for ds by getting on the site at 6am on a Monday.
We'd been trying for ages before I learned about when dates are released.
Thank goodness he passed even though his instructor cancelled and he had to take it in his own car.
Good luck.

If she is really ready, then it doesn't matter if it is the next day, as long as she can get access to her training car

This is the point. Her instructor is also crazy busy and already has tests booked in. He might well not be available with a day's notice.

The wait at the moment is crazy, you'd be lucky to get one before September in our area. You just need to book one that's available and hope for a cancellation.

I will try first thing on a Monday morning. But I wonder if this is going to be like everyone trying to get through to their GP at the same time in the morning??

I see a lot of people on our local Facebook group asking if any instructors are available at short notice for tests.

If you have your own car that they learn in, plan to do the test in that. Then you have much more flexibility than when you have to do-ordinate with an instructor.

Bear in mind you can cancel up to 3 days ahead. If you have to use the instructor, you can book a short notice test that is 4 days away or longer. This gives time to contact instructor and check availability, and still cancel if necessary. Most instructors will take you for the test if they can, if they know that you are ready. They might move a lesson in order to give you a lesson beforehand and the. The time for the test.

I agree that expecting to do a test with very short notice is the way forward. This is especially the case for those who have failed previously and need to get another test….don’t focus on one perhaos a month away, but be aware that more will appear within a week’s time.

@bendmeoverbackwards the new week slots open at 6am on Monday morning- that is how my DD and her friends got their slots. They were both logged on at 5.55am