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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Driving Test unavailability

72 replies

wildfellhall · 20/02/2025 12:09

AIBU to expect my son to be able to book a driving test?

I can't tell you how much of a grim time he had over Covid and after. He took tests in areas he didn't know and now, 2 theory tests later and he can't get a test in his local area. Now he's working full time it's even harder.

Why is the system so completely inadequate?

Is it true that people are booking tests to sell on? That can't be true surely?

My niece did an intensive course with a test at the end so I assume some companies are allowed to block book lessons?

How does this support a modern economy - it's baffling. Why can't the government intervene to improve the situation? We are so dependent on cars and public transport is inadequate. Is everyone who gets a test doing something which we don't know how to do?

Should we just tell him to give up? He has spent a fortune on lessons and now drives really well. What are our options?

OP posts:
ComealongSpring · 20/02/2025 12:11

There is an app you can download that comes up with the next available tests in different areas. Presumably cancellations.

MJalltheway · 20/02/2025 12:14

The app is one of the problems. You don't need the app to find a cancellation, you just need to be lucky and check regularly. Slots tend to be released early in the morning in my experience. But if everyone is using the app, then everyone has to use the app if you see what I mean.
i agree the system is completely broken, I've been through it twice with my 2 dc.

Original poster
wildfellhall · 20/02/2025 12:17

Thanks, what is the app please?

OP posts:
ComealongSpring · 20/02/2025 12:24

I was wracking my brains or would have said, just remembered , Testi

ComealongSpring · 20/02/2025 12:25

My friends daughter found a relatively local test in 3 weeks last summer.

Justsayit123 · 20/02/2025 12:27

Book a test anywhere in the country then you have more chance of getting tests in your area. This used to work in Covid times.

Catza · 20/02/2025 12:28

You book a test in any testing center in the country, then use Testi app or similar to indicate your preferred testing center and dates. Newport has loads of available slots as placeholder. Slots are always released at 6am on a Monday.

Original poster
wildfellhall · 20/02/2025 12:30

Did you all use the app? Thsnks!

OP posts:
OurFlagMeansAfternoonTea · 20/02/2025 12:41

The tests become available at 6am every Monday morning. My daughter got a test by booking at that time.

Baggyprincess · 20/02/2025 12:44

In our experience it’s worth paying for Testi. 6 month wait to date was reduced to a couple of weeks and 15 hours in one case (the time she passed!)

mugglewump · 20/02/2025 12:45

Exactly as the post says above. Get up early on a Monday morning when the slots are released at 6am. I had to threaten my DS with no more driving lessons until he did this as he doesn't like early starts, but it worked.

SnoozingFox · 20/02/2025 12:47

Has been a shit show since Covid, the theory test slots seem to have sorted themselves out but it's a standard 6 month wait for a test round here, and we're in suburban Glasgow with four or more centres not far away.

jooee98 · 20/02/2025 12:49

Are there any legal consequences for selling booked driving tests?

Original poster
wildfellhall · 20/02/2025 12:53

Thanks. The gov websites are all very anti the apps and say they're trying to block them. Ds's DI said you can book without.

The thing which puzzles me is - with a 50% pass rate, why don't driving instructors put people through when they are actually ready? Do the queues for the more proficient drivers were shorter. Maybe it's too subjective?

But at the very least they should extend the theory test expiry - it's so unfair and so costly, it's effectively punishing young people.

OP posts:
Catza · 20/02/2025 12:56

wildfellhall · 20/02/2025 12:30

Did you all use the app? Thsnks!

Not initially but yes, I had no other option. It was either use the app or wait 6 months+. You absolutely can book a test for 6 months' time, you just have to be in front of your laptop with provisional license ready to log in at 5.59 on Monday morning.

HerbieFluffyDumpling · 20/02/2025 13:00

I booked a test at our local test centre, which was around 4 months away. Then logged on everyday and kept refreshing, until a suitable date and time came up and I think you can do this a maximum of 6 times. I never used an app to do it.

Original poster
wildfellhall · 20/02/2025 13:01

So you don't think you can get a cancellation without the app?

DD's (2nd 💔) theory runs out in Sept and he is now working so we are desperate for a cancellation before then.

We will try the 6 am thing - I'm just not sure if it's possible without an app.

OP posts:
Original poster
wildfellhall · 20/02/2025 13:06

Sorry ds's theory.

OP posts:
Bakedpotatoes · 20/02/2025 13:15

I used an app and had another test in 10 days. This was 4 years ago so I know things have got progressively worse.

Chiseltip · 20/02/2025 13:16

All part of the plan to stop as many people as possible from driving. The Government won't do anything to sort this mess out.

madamweb · 20/02/2025 13:23

I don't know why they havent changed the system so that tests have to be tied to a particular driving licence. It's a ridiculous mess at the moment

Pastelhp · 20/02/2025 13:24

I really feel your pain OP. I passed last year and was against the clock as my theory was running out which pressured me even more!
I couldn’t get any test within 6 months on the gov website. There was recently a documentary on how people are bulk buying tests and selling them on at an inflated rate - they are apparently putting measures in to stop this, but how far they’ve got with this I’m not sure. My instructor managed to get me one in the end (at an inflated price) but I was that desperate I just paid it in the end. Annoying as I’m sure that’s contributing to the issue!

furryleopard · 20/02/2025 13:29

I failed my test on 6th Feb and I'm booked in for another on June 25th. I'm on the cancellation app Driving Cancellations Now but nothing coming up, I keep logging in to the DVSA website and again nothing earlier. It's very frustrating and I'm already feeling the pressure of the next test as if I fail that I'm presuming it'll be November when I can next have a go.

BabyFever246 · 20/02/2025 13:34

wildfellhall · 20/02/2025 12:53

Thanks. The gov websites are all very anti the apps and say they're trying to block them. Ds's DI said you can book without.

The thing which puzzles me is - with a 50% pass rate, why don't driving instructors put people through when they are actually ready? Do the queues for the more proficient drivers were shorter. Maybe it's too subjective?

But at the very least they should extend the theory test expiry - it's so unfair and so costly, it's effectively punishing young people.

I passed 3rd time. The guy who did my first 2 tests was awful and my instructor offered to sit in on my test if it was him because he couldn't see why I failed.

2nd test - 2 major errors, 11 minors
3rd test - 0 majors, 3 minors

2 weeks apart, no lessons or practise between. Woman that did my third test was the manager of the test site. Subsequently found out the guy administering my first 2 was not passing women and ended up sacked.

Passing or failing is crazy subjective and on the tester. How does one measure 'hesitation' for example. They will fail people they don't believe is ready or don't like. They also have quotas. So if lots pass they will fail more later in the month so they don't 'go over'.

Two friends passed first - one first time one seventh! Hands down if we were going in the cars I'd pick the 7th time passer as they were a better driver. First time passer was cocky, tendency to speed and was generally stupid behind the wheel and had 2 accidents soon after passing.

ExtraOnions · 20/02/2025 13:35

They are bought up by resellers … and people buy from them at an inflated price - creating a market. It needs to be made illegal