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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

The driving test booking system is an utter shambles isn't it?

79 replies

shrinkwrappt · 06/04/2022 21:25

DS has been learning to drive for nearly a year and failed his driving test for the second time yesterday. The examiner told him he's a good driver, but he made one mistake that she couldn't overlook, so that's fair enough. He had been lucky to get that test slot - it was a cancellation from his instructor, and the first offered since his previous test in January (when he also failed for a single mistake, ironically one which stopped being a mistake when the Highway Code changed a week later). So he has been unlucky, and hopefully will pass next time. But next time is potentially a long way off. The only test he was able to book when we looked today is in mid-September, and 300 miles away near his grandparents house. So, fingers are crossed for an earlier cancellation closer to home. We were already signed up for the Testi app, which gives cancellation alerts, but found it useless - too many people chasing too few cancellations. Today I tried the DrivingTestCancellations4All app but they're so swamped that they have a waiting list. The DVSA really need to add capacity to the testing system, or their backlog will never be cleared.

OP posts:

brainhurts · 10/04/2022 09:12

@Jobseeker19

Some children are so lucky to be able to have lessons at 17 and then test booked soon after. (Judging from this thread)

I think adult drivers should be prioritised for tests. They are more likely to have responsibilities and be paying for their own lessons too.

Drivers aged 17 who are being funded by parents probably have a car to practice in aswell.

I'm not to sure how this would work , do they prioritise by age , occupation, who's paying, if they own a car ? Both my 17 year olds funded there own lessons from jobs I had to ' taxi ' them too . Both had cars for there 17th birthday ( yes they were very lucky ) Both pay all the bills associated with running a car are they less worthy of a driving test ?

The system still has a huge backlog, and by the sound of it there is even a waiting list for cancellation apps , but I'm not sure how you would prioritise test slots

brainhurts · 10/04/2022 12:17

Hi op I have to agree there is a huge backlog and no end in sight .
DS failed 3 times so trying to get a cancellation became my life .
I had the Testi app , but not the one you pay for , I used this as a quick link to the government website ( saved putting in his license details over and over ) I clicked on this link whenever I could.
I also paid for testgeni , this notified me of any cancellation, it held the slot for 10 min without cancelling the original booking.
Testgeni found his last two tests , thankfully he passed.
I hope this helps, good luck.

gogohm · 10/04/2022 12:34

Dd managed to get one 5 weeks after she failed, she just checked daily and cancellations go onto the system.

closetmeupandshootmetotheskies · 10/04/2022 12:36

The DVLA have been actively trying to fuck life up for everyone by being lazy, workshy bastards for bloody ages now. The press makes little to no mention of this, but the DVLA are shit. And they are allowed to get away with it.

Getting a DL is important for so many jobs. Not just truck drivers, people who volunteer as coastguards, doing blood/organ runs, the fire brigade, police, paramedics. The DVLA pissing about and being lazy shites is really shafting the whole country and anyone who works for them who is supporting this shite needs shunned by their local communities.

Bring back shunning, people having to suffer for supporting workplace antics which shaft us over would make them reconsider. We have to suffer? So do you. Bollocks to them. Likewise MPs. If constituents with a shite MP or one who does something shitey stopped serving them in shops, refused goods and services, might give them pause for thought.

Blanketpolicy · 10/04/2022 12:47

@closetmeupandshootmetotheskies

You and my brother would get on like a house on fire 🤣

Don't really know what else to say to that.

ThreeWiseWomen · 10/04/2022 12:55

@Tildo

If my DS had allowed me to help him organisationally he would have both his theory and his test, hell he might even be applying to join the IAM, but no, it was a case of no thanks I can do it, he didn't and I and his father now have a pain our arses dropping him to work which is somewhere without a decent public transport structure. Whilst he scrabbles to try and get a theory test never mind a driving test.

So remove your judgy knickers and judge ye not, unless you are in possession of all the facts.

That is all, over and out.

Rainbowx · 10/04/2022 21:26

@closetmeupandshootmetotheskies

100% my son is off to university to become a paramedic so must have this and his c1 etc very costly and the government/DVLA are bloody terrible.

marigoldflower · 20/04/2022 10:29

DS is practising in our car, and will take the test in our car too

I'm a bit clueless, does insurance need to specifically cover a learner driver in order to do this (obviously accompanied by someone with a full license)?

What would happen if you hired a car? Could the insurance cover this set up also?

marigoldflower · 20/04/2022 10:43

The cancellation booking system is now so saturated with apps that it has ground to a halt

Not trying to put you or anyone on the spot, but shouldn't the government clamp down on these 'apps'? Am I missing something? t's awfully unfair to those who can't afford to or don't want to use them for whatever reason. It should be a lot more transparent and everyone should be given an equal chance to book!

LilacPoppy · 20/04/2022 10:44

I don’t know if

Tomnooktoldmeto · 20/04/2022 11:30

We felt we had to use an app to level the playing field in the end, no test dates available as the apps snapped them up first

As for priority, my 2 teens both have additional needs and can’t actually use public transport. They start Uni in September and need to drive there for lectures so less judgement please

we saved for years to ensure they could learn to drive and actually they were delayed by covid as no lessons were available when they turned 17 hence the backlog of young people now

Original poster

shrinkwrappt · 20/04/2022 20:35

shouldn't the government clamp down on these 'apps'

They say they're clamping down by blocking them, if they're detected, but that doesn't help unless they are all blocked, and that"s impossible - some of them, the more expensive ones, claim to have people doing the searching rather than a bot, so they can do the Captcha tests to prove they're human. What the DVSA really need is a (free) app of their own, or some sort of waiting list for cancellations. It's not practical for most people to keep checking every few minutes of the day.

OP posts:

Original poster

shrinkwrappt · 20/04/2022 20:42

I'm a bit clueless, does insurance need to specifically cover a learner driver in order to do this (obviously accompanied by someone with a full license)?

DS got Learner Driver insurance from Veygo.

Not sure if a hire car company would allow a Learner Driver, but maybe some offer it as a specialist service. The DVSA website says hire cars need to have dual controls, so I expect it is usually the instructors who hire them under their insurance, rather than the learner driver, for example if their own car is being repaired.

OP posts:

Moochio · 20/04/2022 21:09

It should sort itself out a bit though? If people have to wait then they are more likely to pass 1st time so not waste the tests?

Horsemad · 20/04/2022 21:38

Is it just a backlog due to Covid causing the delays?

Does anyone know anybody who works for them and can ask/tell us why the delays are still present?

Original poster

shrinkwrappt · 20/04/2022 22:16

Moochio · 20/04/2022 21:09

It should sort itself out a bit though? If people have to wait then they are more likely to pass 1st time so not waste the tests?

That may be the case for some, but the current pass rate is less than 50%, and many of those failures will just be bad luck - the sort of thing that would catch out many experienced drivers under test conditions. As there is currently no slack in the system, anyone who fails has to wait 6 months for a re-test, unless they can get a cancellation. That's too long.

OP posts:

Original poster

shrinkwrappt · 20/04/2022 22:34

Also some driving instructors have been exploiting the situation. They have the ability to transfer tests to other pupils if one cancels (see here: www.gov.uk/book-pupil-driving-test) but some instructors are selling them on. My son's instructor says he has been offered them for a few hundred pounds.

OP posts:

WoolyMammoth55 · 20/04/2022 22:45

Can anyone tell me if the apps work for theory tests too? I'm desperate to take mine but the website hasn't got any dates anywhere near me until July!

marigoldflower · 21/04/2022 09:34

What the DVSA really need is a (free) app of their own, or some sort of waiting list for cancellations

Yes, I agree

marigoldflower · 21/04/2022 09:35

The DVSA website says hire cars need to have dual controls, so I expect it is usually the instructors who hire them under their insurance, rather than the learner driver, for example if their own car is being repaired

True, I missed that bit on the DVSA website

Original poster

shrinkwrappt · 01/06/2022 10:06

Good to see this in the headlines today: BBC News - Driving test backlog sees exams sold for over £200
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61265729

We've been trying to get a cancellation for my son since March. His current booking is for September, after he starts university. We relented, and paid £35 for booking service, but they haven't come up with anything so far.

OP posts:

marigoldflower · 01/06/2022 14:51

Thanks for the link OP. It does make some kind of sense now.

I can't understand how this crazy situation has not been stopped already. It's shocking actually

Why do driving schools need to have special access to book tests for pupils? Anyone who is capable and old enough to drive is surely capable of going on-line and booking a test, or am I missing something?

How is this fair for those who cannot afford to cough up the £200 or simply refuse to do it?

whowhatwerewhy · 02/06/2022 13:16

That's shocking, when DD took her test , only just pre lockdown you could book around 6 weeks in advance. DS passed his test early this year and it was a nightmare to book tests .

user1471457751 · 02/06/2022 13:26

@BlackAndPinkNose I take it you haven't seen the government's plan to cut 91,000 civil service jobs, which includes the dvla. It's not just as easy as 'just recruit' when you have a govt who want to decimate the public sector.

Neapolitanicecream · 02/06/2022 14:59

my son payed over £200 for a earlier test but still has to drive over 30 miles to Slough. Which is so corrupt as High Wycombe has closed. The problem was that he gave his booking number to the corrupt person who allocated him the test but took his original. I know !!!! I’ve already told him he was silly as what’s to stop the official moving it again and selling the earlier test on as well. It’s a joke. But he needs his license for his job. Slough is sooo corrupt!!!

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