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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Furious with driving test been cancelled again

86 replies

Frustrated456 · 08/03/2021 14:27

Really angry to see that driving tests have been cancelled and rather be starting on 12th April it is now 22 April so that means bloody driving test cancelled. What the hell DVSA.

OP posts:
NeverTrustaRabbit · 08/03/2021 14:45

Why be angry? Presumably they've cancelled them to ensure your safety as well as that of instructors and examiners. The employers duty of care to their employees trumps your wish to be able to drive.

I can understand you being frustrated and disappointed .....but angry is an overreaction.

Moondust001 · 08/03/2021 14:48

I don't know if you have noticed, but there's a lot of stuff going on right now, what with that pandemic around.... Frustrating for you perhaps, but get a grip. There are bigger things going on.

Caselgarcia · 08/03/2021 14:50

Sounds sensible to me, my DD's was rearranged for the third time and scheduled for the 12th. As she hasn't been able to practice other than on essential journeys, so needs a couple of lessons to get ready

MadeOfStarStuff · 08/03/2021 14:51

YABU

It’s frustrating but is for the safety of you and the instructor so no point getting angry and blaming anyone, it’s just one of the millions of things that’s been cancelled due to the pandemic

Stirmecrazy · 08/03/2021 14:57

I feel your pain opener. Is this your first cancellation? In which case you have been lucky. My DD has been trying to do hers for almost a year now and had 3 cancellations . First cancellation April 2020 . Latest cancellation January 7th 2021!
She is now booked in for late May and we are praying this will finally take place it is costing me a fortune in refresher lessons

Oblomov21 · 08/03/2021 14:59

I didn't know about this. What a pain!

Firefliess · 08/03/2021 15:05

It is frustrating isn't it? DD hasn't yet managed to book a test - she's been trying for months and just nothing available :( Her plans for a gap year next year are all dependent on being able to drive so can't really plan anything until she can book one. And the stress of whether you'll pass or not, knowing a failure will mean many months of delay is horrible :(

SplendidSuns1000 · 08/03/2021 15:14

It's almost like we're in a global panini Smile

EveningOverRooftops · 08/03/2021 15:25

Oh give over the lot of you.

It’s frustrating. For some of us getting that licence is a lifeline, means to a new job, freedom, safety by avoiding public transport atm or just getting out because of disabilities.

I’ve been waiting and had cancellations too. I’ve just about had enough of it.

Yes we’re allowed to vent frustration at this entire situation . We can vent whilst being well aware of the shitshow the world is in.

Though just two people, in a car, masked and with decent ventilation I don’t see why driving lessons & tests can’t start again and I’m furious I’ve had to put back getting my car for the best part of a year.

peak2021 · 08/03/2021 15:28

If this causes you this much anger, I am not sure I want someone like you on the road at all.

The date of 12 April for the resumption of non-essential shopping and things such as driving tests is only a possibility and not 100% certain.

BigWoollyJumpers · 08/03/2021 15:40

The thing that worries me, is the backlog. It is going to take years to catch up with missed lessons, missed tests, missed theory tests. Thousands and thousands of 17/18 year olds last year are still in the system and will be added to this year with all the new 17/18 year olds.

DD had to wait three months for her provisional to arrive, three months to get driving lessons, and these lessons have been postponed twice now, so she has had a two blocks of a few lessons, and none since before xmas. Pretty much a complete waste of money as she will pretty much have to start from scratch again.

I know life has been on hold for everyone, but for her age group, I think they have had the overall worst in terms of missed education, life, milestones, examination fiasco's, loss of freedoms. Dramatic, yes, but that's how I feel for them.

NeverTrustaRabbit · 08/03/2021 15:40

@EveningOverRooftops give over yourself. Driving is a privilege and a convenience not a right. The DVSA employees however have the right to be work in safety.

The last year has been awful for everyone- waiting a few extra days to be able to book tests is neither here nor there. Am

Take your anger and be furious at stuff that matters.....you know the stuff that really inconveniences people like poverty, inequality, VAWG.

TLDR: build a bridge......and get over it!

peboh · 08/03/2021 15:44

Christ aren't you all pleasant people?!

You're allowed to feel frustrated op.

FVFrog · 08/03/2021 15:46

@BigWoollyJumpers I completely agree with you. This age group have missed once in a lifetime exams, events and milestones and will never get those back.

MummytoCSJH · 08/03/2021 15:49

Fully feel your upset OP. Mine has been cancelled 4 times since the beginning of last year Sad it's awful as I have a disabled child and have to depend on others regularly which is obviously not ideal in the current circumstances. My theory is going to run out before I can take it if it's cancelled again, plus can't really afford the extra money I have to keep spending on refresher lessons since I don't have a car to practice in for free (financial reasons are also why I didn't learn earlier). It sucks but people will tell you that there are bigger things going on and you should be grateful you are even alive, I do hope they've never complained about anything inconvenient ever in their livesHmm

OverTheRubicon · 08/03/2021 15:52

People pooh poohing this don't understand what a huge life issue this is for some of us.

After years of not being allowed to drive for medical reasons, I was allowed to. Like a pp, my test has now been delayed for a year. As a single mum of 3 young children, classified as vulnerable, this has been a huge issue in finding jobs and in travelling to important appointments for the children or I, or even just going anywhere that isn't in a very small local radius.

Mostly we walk or cycle, but they're little and on the occasions I've had no choice but to go further, we stared at like plague carriers if we step on a bus - if we can even get one, which is hard as capacity is very limited around here - and I also get concerned about them getting ill, when so many people are unmasked and with my DCs being too little to really understand no touching, when it's a 2-bus-plus-walk, 1.5 hour journey (that would be 30 mins in a car). A taxi means poor or no safe seating for them, and still more risk than our own car. I have close family 2 hours away who are critically vulnerable. Even when we could travel last summer, I couldn't see them because there was no option to isolate for a few weeks then drive over and stay nearby. Instead, we would have had to take a train or taxi and potentially catch covid on the way there.

And this is in outer London. I can't imagine how hard it must be for some people in more rural areas. It's not just about going on distant nature walks or visiting a friend for a hello (though that would be nice too).

OverTheRubicon · 08/03/2021 15:54

Also a great point about lesson cost @MummytoCSJH. I was all set to take my test this time last year, then took weekly lessons to keep my hand in before it was cancelled again, and now am probably going to have to pay for another 10 lessons, as I have noone to practice with. It's really gutting.

MummytoCSJH · 08/03/2021 15:56

Also, all of the jobs in policing I should be able to apply for once I've graduated (forensic and medical sciences degree) in May require a full driving license and access to your own vehicle. I meet all of the other requirements. This massively impacts me and I'll have to wait until the following years jobs are released. For unemployed people without good transport links, a car can make all the difference to whether they can get a job.

peak2021 · 08/03/2021 15:58

The slow processing of applications is not the same as driving tests being moved because of the pandemic. The DVLA were forcing people into offices instead of having a way of having most of their staff working from home, which led to a large number of their team getting Covid 19 and having to isolate (526 by early February).

MummytoCSJH · 08/03/2021 15:58

@OverTheRubicon

Also a great point about lesson cost *@MummytoCSJH*. I was all set to take my test this time last year, then took weekly lessons to keep my hand in before it was cancelled again, and now am probably going to have to pay for another 10 lessons, as I have noone to practice with. It's really gutting.
Yes, especially since it's so expensive already! I did the exact same. Had a few lessons in the 'lower' lockdown periods ready for my test for them then to be banned and test cancelled again.
Shitfuckcommaetc · 08/03/2021 16:02

The worst bit is that they are refusing to extend the validity of the theory test. So many people will have to pay and take the theory test again through no fault of their own.
That's really unfair!!

CuriousaboutSamphire · 08/03/2021 16:03

@SplendidSuns1000

It's almost like we're in a global panini Smile
I'm hungry now 😁
BrownEyedGirl80 · 08/03/2021 16:06

I've just found out mine is cancelled for 13th April,its the 4th time its been cancelled and I'm bitterly disappointed 😞

BigWoollyJumpers · 08/03/2021 16:08

There was a slight rumble about the possibility of driving instructors being able to "pass" their students, but I assume that died a death. It would have helped immensely, but I assume the powers that be wanted to keep that in house and people in jobs.

PeteWicksSexyPirate · 08/03/2021 16:09

Re-book your test and download Driving Test Cancellations 4 All and upgrade to premium. I started learning to drive August 2020 and passed 4th December 2020 on the day we came out of lockdown after having 3 tests cancelled. This app is brilliant. I had to book at a different test centre for April 2021 and then on the app put my preferred test centre and within a day or so I had a driving test booked at my centre of choice on a much sooner date. If you fail your test you can keep using the app til you pass. Good luck

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