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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Driving tests

19 replies

Duckinghellfire · 02/05/2021 16:56

To be annoyed at the lack of thought from the government on this.
People are being forced into paying out more money for theory tests, due to tests now being so far back and having them cancelled in lockdown. Now can not get a practical test even booked, causing some to be unable to get jobs if they live in areas where buses etc are not very good. My daughter was so close, she feels like she is just wasting money now, because she had now had to retake her theory at her cost, then have to carry on with instructor in order to book her practical which, there seems to be nothing until next year. Its all a bit of a joke and very unfair, to those trying to better themselves

OP posts:

Justanticipating · 02/05/2021 17:14

You're right, it's ridiculous.. My Dp was due to have his first test 2 days after he first lockdown and he's only just managed to get a test this May after 5 cancellations. He's had a life changing job opportunity (£20k pay rise) but it's dependent on him passing his test before the start date (about 4 months away) but with lack of lessons and test dates I don't think it will happen. Not long after that deadline with theory will run out.
It's awful, something really needs to do be done.

poppycat10 · 02/05/2021 17:24

Yes it is very stressful. The theory test issue, the fact that you know if you fail you've got a long wait until you can try again.

Also I don't think my son's instructor is managing it very well. He books pupils in until their test date, but doesn't put any lessons in for them afterwards, which effectively means if they fail, they can't have more lessons for ages. I am going to talk to him about it, because I think he should put in more lessons and then offer them to someone else when a candidate passes. DS is due to do his test in early June but doesn't feel ready.

We only have automatics, I am considering whether he should just practice in our car now and go for an automatic test (when he can). At least he won't have to redo his theory test and the future of cars is automatic, mild hybrids notwithstanding.

People will say it's only right you need to retake your theory but I wonder how many practising drivers could pass a theory test?

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 02/05/2021 17:26

They need more examiners. But they can't produce them out of thin air (and can't guarantee they will always be needed when the backlog is clear).

ghostyslovesheets · 02/05/2021 17:27

My daughter is 19 in Oct - started lessons and was doing well - then lockdown - her dad got her a car for her 18th - it's sat on his drive - she's so pissed off she can't be bothered with lessons as what's the point - she has a job - we have to pick her up at 10pm when she finishes which is a pain!

LongDuckDong · 02/05/2021 17:27

Use the app that tells you when cancellations come up. we used it and my son got a test a couple of days later.

conywarp · 02/05/2021 17:27

The theory issue is ridiculous. An extension to the 2 years could easily be applied.

littlepattilou · 02/05/2021 17:29

@Duckinghellfire YANBU. And I don't know how long it will be before it's back to normal!

And who the F is clicking YABU?!

Original poster

Duckinghellfire · 02/05/2021 17:33

They should have planned for it before they stopped them, so many jobs now rely on you being able to drive. Ive started my own business and driving would allow me to do more but i cant get it done and i feel like im wasting my time atm. So does my daughter, she booked a test for june, they cancelled on her, with no real explanation, so now she has had to redo her theory, said they had no tests but still allowed her to book?
Its a disgrace, the theory in my opinion should have been extended or been allowed to retake at no cost to them, as its not their fault. If they could extend mot then they should have done so for learners. Its so unfair.

OP posts:

VeganVeal · 02/05/2021 17:34

I guess there are a lot of small things happening that dont make the news. I pay £360 a month in tax for a company car I havent used in 13 months, I cant see anyone taking that cause up, same as theory tests and driving tests, not that much interest in general

RaspberryCoulis · 02/05/2021 17:34

I hear you! My oldest son was 17 last March and had 1 lesson before the first lockdown. Driving lessons didn't restart in Scotland until August. He had a couple, then his instructor had to self-isolate and missed 2 lessons, then he had a couple more, and then HE had to self-isolate and missed a couple, then it was another lockdown... And now we're 14 months on from his birthday and he's managed about 8 lessons in total.

We have managed to grab a slot for a theory test on 28th June, goodness only knows when he's going to manage to get a slot for a practical test.

BackforGood · 02/05/2021 17:36

I think at the very least, they should be able to take a free theory test if it runs out before they get chance to pass their practical.
Overwhelmingly people who are learning to drive are usually not rolling in it, financially.

Original poster

Duckinghellfire · 02/05/2021 17:38

@BackforGood 100%.
Just ordinary folk trying to better themselves.

OP posts:

Everytimeref · 02/05/2021 17:41

In our area, the theory test centre has closed and no date on when it will re open. Its disgraceful.

Theunamedcat · 02/05/2021 17:44

[quote littlepattilou]@Duckinghellfire YANBU. And I don't know how long it will be before it's back to normal!

And who the F is clicking YABU?! [/quote]
Probably boris who forgot about driving tests

littlepattilou · 02/05/2021 17:48

@Theunamedcat

TrainspottingWelsh · 02/05/2021 20:26

I agree. And I suspect as it's mainly only an issue for the young or those outside London it isn't considered important.
Public transport isn't really an option locally, so it's a necessity to pass your test asap. 17yr old dd has been driving competently on private land for years, and is slightly pissed off she's unlikely to have the freedom dsd had at that age. For others it means no chance of employment, or saving towards uni, or socialising even after restrictions end.

Personally I think with the backlog they should prioritise postcodes outside city centres, and people recently otherwise qualified in jobs that require a driving licence.

dedee · 15/05/2021 15:27

It is definitely a joke and very frustrating. Theory tests not being extended and the booking system is shocking.

In my area the system is not showing any availability. It would be helpful if it could show the next test date available in my area.

Boris and co have definitely forgotten about learner drivers.

BigWoollyJumpers · 15/05/2021 15:39

@RaspberryCoulis

We have managed to grab a slot for a theory test on 28th June, goodness only knows when he's going to manage to get a slot for a practical test.

Exactly the same for DD. Would have loved her to be able to drive, as her preferred uni is quite a long way away, and the trains there are rubbish. She has a theory test booked, but not until Aug, hoping to bring it forward, not yet booked her physical test, and her lessons are resuming in a couple of weeks, as she has been busy with exams as well. So basically hoping everything comes together in the summer...... what's the chances? Not high.

I am wondering whether lots of people are just booking and cancelling if not ready? DD knows of three youngsters who recently took their tests and failed as well, as they hadn't had lessons for a while. It's a mess.

Personally I would like them to prioritise by age? Get the oldest ones in and done first, and let the 17 year olds wait a bit longer? Seems unfair when so many 18/19 year olds were effectively locked out.

SuziQuatrosFatNan · 15/05/2021 15:47

@BigWoollyJumpers people definitely aren't helping the situation. A friend of mine is a driving instructor who's getting bombarded with requests from teenagers who have been driving daddy's car around and booked tests off the back of that. He's got a waiting list and isn't about to give priority to these folks. But they're booking tests anyway.

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