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Original poster

150 000 driving tests

18 replies

piscofrisco · 02/10/2023 09:25

Apparently 150 0000 nee driving trsrs were added to the system this morning. Did anyone manage to get one? I was on the website at five to six and still only manage to book one for DD next March Confused so frustrating!!

OP posts:
BoohooWoohoo · 02/10/2023 09:31

New slots are always for 6 months time.

Original poster
piscofrisco · 02/10/2023 09:31

Was the point of the nee tests not to clear the backlog and get the wait time back down to the 6 weeks it used to be?

OP posts:
BoohooWoohoo · 02/10/2023 09:33

If you want an earlier slot you need to buy one of the premium apps that will use computers to book up slots that come up when people cancel.

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Driving & parking
BoohooWoohoo · 02/10/2023 09:35

piscofrisco · 02/10/2023 09:31

Was the point of the nee tests not to clear the backlog and get the wait time back down to the 6 weeks it used to be?

They can only clear the backlog if there were more driving examiners.

Extending available test dates to 6 months time is a good way to say fewer people are trying to get test dates.

BoohooWoohoo · 02/10/2023 09:36

How long ago was the 6 week test date?
I took my test is early 00s and it was 3 months then.

PerfectMatch · 02/10/2023 09:37

BoohooWoohoo · 02/10/2023 09:33

If you want an earlier slot you need to buy one of the premium apps that will use computers to book up slots that come up when people cancel.

This. I used Testi and DrivingTestNow to get an earlier slot for my son.

Onesipmore · 02/10/2023 09:37

I got one for March !! Whats the best premium app to go for? Thanks

Londonnight · 02/10/2023 09:42

My DIL recently passed her driving test. The only way she could get a test was to use one of the apps otherwise the test was going to be months away. She had a message on the Thursday for a test the following Tuesday in her local area.

Secondwindplease · 02/10/2023 09:43

I thought you were going to tell us you’d taken 150000 driving tests and still failed 🤣

Universitynewbie · 02/10/2023 09:46

BoohooWoohoo · 02/10/2023 09:33

If you want an earlier slot you need to buy one of the premium apps that will use computers to book up slots that come up when people cancel.

They don't book up slots, they just show the slots as soon as they become available so you can go in and book them on the proper site

Angrymum22 · 02/10/2023 09:59

I think that driving instructors block book. I found that if you go onto the site on a Friday pm that’s when they cancel tests that they don’t need for the following week or two.
The apps are useful but you really have to be watching for notifications all the time.
DS failed his first test ( stupid error not a driving error, pulled onto the pavement because all the cars on the road were parked on the pavement) but I was able to get a cancellation 3 weeks later.
You have to be persistent and check for cancellations several times a day on the apps and on the gov site. The Testi app was far better than the others.

Cocoalover · 02/10/2023 10:01

Try testi
Pay for premium. it's worth it.
They'll notify you of any cancellations, etc. Make sure you enable notifications and click on it as soon as it comes through

Original poster
piscofrisco · 02/10/2023 10:02

We have the apps-I sit and refresh them when I have a minute at work.
Think I got overexcited on hearing they were releasing extra capacity 🫣

OP posts:
kittensinthekitchen · 02/10/2023 10:02

Angrymum22 · 02/10/2023 09:59

I think that driving instructors block book. I found that if you go onto the site on a Friday pm that’s when they cancel tests that they don’t need for the following week or two.
The apps are useful but you really have to be watching for notifications all the time.
DS failed his first test ( stupid error not a driving error, pulled onto the pavement because all the cars on the road were parked on the pavement) but I was able to get a cancellation 3 weeks later.
You have to be persistent and check for cancellations several times a day on the apps and on the gov site. The Testi app was far better than the others.

Why would the driving instructors book? Surely they already hold a licence?

Angrymum22 · 02/10/2023 10:19

Driving instructors can book your test. I would imagine the large schools have a system of booking pupils in as soon as they start. If the driver isn’t ready they cancel.

kittensinthekitchen · 02/10/2023 10:28

Angrymum22 · 02/10/2023 10:19

Driving instructors can book your test. I would imagine the large schools have a system of booking pupils in as soon as they start. If the driver isn’t ready they cancel.

Ah that's interesting, I didn't know an instructor could book your test for you.

My instructor just advised when he thought I was ready, and I gave in months later and booked it.

Floralnomad · 03/10/2023 22:09

My daughter passed her test this morning , we had a test booked for January ( she failed with 1 major in August) but her driving instructor managed to pick up a cancellation last Thursday for today . We are in the SE and it’s ridiculous . We had Testi but never had any luck getting a test through it .

NotAMug · 03/10/2023 23:00

We used driving test now app, it's quite hit or miss, autobook is ok as if you put in your available dates it just books them automatically for you, DS got one once for 6 weeks ahead but failed, he rebooked for 6 months ahead then we used the app again, the closest date we ended up with was still October, waited 3 weeks and had nothing on the app, I then went on the DVSA website a few times a day for 2 or 3 days and managed to get a cancellation for 6 days later.

I think the apps get blocked now and then so aren't always successful.

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