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Original poster

To expect driving centres to offer standby driving tests?

28 replies

MitherTheresa · 28/05/2022 10:26

DD has been trying to get a test cancellation. She’s on a cancellation app, but no luck so far, and the last 6 she’s tried to book have failed because they are ‘no longer available’.

Yesterday my daughter’s instructor offered her an extra lesson 90 min lessons at half price because the learner didn’t turn up for the test on time, so it was cancelled - AND THEREFORE WASTED! I’m guessing the instructor then twiddles their thumbs/has a cuppa and/fag, plays solitaire/wordle while waiting for the next scheduled appointment? This isn’t the first time he’s offered her last minute lessons when tests have not gone ahead for one reason or another. Another time the student forgot their provisional license!

Given the huuuuuge demand for driving tests - added to the fact that some learners use private cars (ie not the instructor’s car) for the tests - is it unreasonable to expect driving centres to offer standby tests. Y’know in the same way you can/could get standby flights? I wouldn’t necessarily expect a cheaper rate for the test, as it’d be enough just to be able to take the test!

DD already has her own car and drives quite a lot with me accompanying her. We’d happily sit at/outside the test centre in the hope of benefitting from a no-show that may arise. DD starts uni in September and we’re hoping that she’ll manage to get a test within the next month or so, so she can get some experience driving by herself before she goes off.

Any suggestions to get an earlier date will be very welcome. Currently have 5 test centres on the app, but any that come up go so very quickly.

OP posts:
supersizeforaquid · 28/05/2022 11:09

How would it work though? Times are so tight you’d literally have to sit and wait just in case which doesn’t seem worth it

supersizeforaquid · 28/05/2022 11:10

By times being So tight I mean they don’t have time to call people to tell them a test is available so your only option is waiting

JustTheOneSwan · 28/05/2022 11:12

I think by the time they know it's a no show too much of the test time has wasted.

MarmaladeLime · 28/05/2022 11:12

supersizeforaquid · 28/05/2022 11:09

How would it work though? Times are so tight you’d literally have to sit and wait just in case which doesn’t seem worth it

I think that's what OP is suggesting. Not a bad idea tbh, if the standby person knew what they were agreeing to and there was paperwork etc precompleted then they can wait until the start time and if the person isn't there then the standby gets the test. Not a bad idea at all.

bumbledeedum · 28/05/2022 11:13

Would a test centre let you just sit and wait in case of a no show?

JustTheOneSwan · 28/05/2022 11:13

Even if you were sat at the test centre the paperwork would take ten minutes to check, they won't have that much spare time in the schedule.

MarmaladeLime · 28/05/2022 11:13

JustTheOneSwan · 28/05/2022 11:12

I think by the time they know it's a no show too much of the test time has wasted.

But you'd resolve this by saying people have to be there on time at the time to take the test. So the moment they are late tough, it's standbys chance. And if people can't get themselves there on time or forget paperwork it's their own fault.

MarmaladeLime · 28/05/2022 11:14

bumbledeedum · 28/05/2022 11:13

Would a test centre let you just sit and wait in case of a no show?

I'm sure they would if it was an actual thing organised centrally as a thing to help reduce the waiting times.

MarmaladeLime · 28/05/2022 11:15

Or make it so if you're a no show you can't book again for 6 months unless there's a medical reason.

WrigglyDonCat · 28/05/2022 11:16

Is she using a free app? (I can pretty much guarantee I know which one, but thought I'd ask). I always use a paid for service with my pupils, and the service grabs the test slot and then texts me the details - I have 15 mins to accept otherwise the slot is returned to the pool. But for those 15 mins, that slot is reserved and cannot be taken by someone else.

KittyMcKitty · 28/05/2022 11:16

Not what you asked but you need to set the cancellation app to auto book (you can specify dates) and you should get one no problem.

RaspberryChouxBuns · 28/05/2022 11:17

I'm sorry the world doesn't bend to your and your daughter's wills OP. It's been this way for a while, there are not enough examiners and often people who are a "no show" won't call in advance to cancel. I took my test back in 2010 and I had to wait 6 months for a date.

WrigglyDonCat · 28/05/2022 11:20

There is no sensible way to run a standby system.

There is the time element, the examiners have to wait long enough to give the missing candidate a chance to show up late, and by then it has used up any spare time between tests. The extra admin of changing candidate details would then cause a delay in subsequent tests.

But more importantly is the anti-corruption element. This would leave the door open to driving examiners doing some dodgy things. And yes, it has happened in the past and is one of the reasons that changing which candidate an examiner takes out is not a straightforward process.

JustTheOneSwan · 28/05/2022 11:20

MarmaladeLime · 28/05/2022 11:15

Or make it so if you're a no show you can't book again for 6 months unless there's a medical reason.

I imagine that would work as a deterrent but it'd need to be longer I think the waiting times at the moment are doing that by accident.

PeopleAllergy · 28/05/2022 11:22

Any suggestions to get an earlier date will be very welcome. Currently have 5 test centres on the app, but any that come up go so very quickly.

We paid £40 to the driving instructor/company and they found a test slot for my son. Seems worth the money as my friends kids had been using apps to do it themselves without any luck.

MarmaladeLime · 28/05/2022 11:22

JustTheOneSwan · 28/05/2022 11:13

Even if you were sat at the test centre the paperwork would take ten minutes to check, they won't have that much spare time in the schedule.

They could check it in the morning before the exams start?

cleareyesfulhearts · 28/05/2022 11:22

RaspberryChouxBuns · 28/05/2022 11:17

I'm sorry the world doesn't bend to your and your daughter's wills OP. It's been this way for a while, there are not enough examiners and often people who are a "no show" won't call in advance to cancel. I took my test back in 2010 and I had to wait 6 months for a date.

I think that's unfair.

She's frustrated and has every right to be, the system is broken.

MarmaladeLime · 28/05/2022 11:23

WrigglyDonCat · 28/05/2022 11:20

There is no sensible way to run a standby system.

There is the time element, the examiners have to wait long enough to give the missing candidate a chance to show up late, and by then it has used up any spare time between tests. The extra admin of changing candidate details would then cause a delay in subsequent tests.

But more importantly is the anti-corruption element. This would leave the door open to driving examiners doing some dodgy things. And yes, it has happened in the past and is one of the reasons that changing which candidate an examiner takes out is not a straightforward process.

Don't let them show up late. On time or not at all.

MarmaladeLime · 28/05/2022 11:24

JustTheOneSwan · 28/05/2022 11:20

I imagine that would work as a deterrent but it'd need to be longer I think the waiting times at the moment are doing that by accident.

Show quote history

Good point.

JustTheOneSwan · 28/05/2022 11:25

MarmaladeLime · 28/05/2022 11:22

They could check it in the morning before the exams start?

Show quote history

I mean cancelling the no show and actioning the new test, not checking the drivers documents or stuff that can be done ahead. The change over stuff.

WrigglyDonCat · 28/05/2022 11:30

PeopleAllergy · 28/05/2022 11:22

Any suggestions to get an earlier date will be very welcome. Currently have 5 test centres on the app, but any that come up go so very quickly.

We paid £40 to the driving instructor/company and they found a test slot for my son. Seems worth the money as my friends kids had been using apps to do it themselves without any luck.

Nice work if you can get it - £30 admin for 5 mins work.

The company I use charge me £10 to find the cancellation and that's what I change my students. It is as much a convenience for me to make sure it is a slot I can do - otherwise students just book any old date (even if I have told them my availability).

Thousandsandhundreds · 28/05/2022 11:31

How would it work waiting at the centre work though? Most people take tests in driving instructors cars so you'd also need to book out the car for the whole day on the off chance

It would work if people cancelled in the morning or in advance but not for no shows where the time it takes to confirm a no show isn't just late etc, and then take paper work for new person etc would mean it doesn't fit the slot

Original poster
MitherTheresa · 28/05/2022 11:34

WrigglyDonCat · 28/05/2022 11:16

Is she using a free app? (I can pretty much guarantee I know which one, but thought I'd ask). I always use a paid for service with my pupils, and the service grabs the test slot and then texts me the details - I have 15 mins to accept otherwise the slot is returned to the pool. But for those 15 mins, that slot is reserved and cannot be taken by someone else.

Thanks for all replies.

she’s not using a free app. I think she paid about £18 or so.

I’ve not thought through the finite details, but thought it shouldn’t be too difficult, surely

OP posts:
Original poster
MitherTheresa · 28/05/2022 11:39

RaspberryChouxBuns · 28/05/2022 11:17

I'm sorry the world doesn't bend to your and your daughter's wills OP. It's been this way for a while, there are not enough examiners and often people who are a "no show" won't call in advance to cancel. I took my test back in 2010 and I had to wait 6 months for a date.

Not expecting the world to bend to my daughter’s will. What an odd comment.

Just because it’s always been that way, should it never change? I see a lot of wasted time and money for a service that has a huge backlog.

Fine if you don’t agree, but what’s wrong with thinking outside the box?

OP posts:
Original poster
MitherTheresa · 28/05/2022 11:43

PeopleAllergy · 28/05/2022 11:22

Any suggestions to get an earlier date will be very welcome. Currently have 5 test centres on the app, but any that come up go so very quickly.

We paid £40 to the driving instructor/company and they found a test slot for my son. Seems worth the money as my friends kids had been using apps to do it themselves without any luck.

Thank you. This is good to know and would be worth doing for my DD. I’ll get her to message her instructor and ask, but he’s not suggested it, just told her to get a cancellation app.

OP posts:
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