Get driving test sooner?

[Freyagillian]

DVLA cancelled my granddaughter’s test the day of her test with no explanation or an apology, they gave her another test date for months away, to say she was upset is an understatement. Her test was a Thursday so her instructor put her in for a lesson fir Tuesday/Wed/ and Thursday a lesson before her test so in total it was £160 with hire of instructors car for sitting her test, she saw the cancellation when she was sitting in the car waiting for examiner to appear when she saw the message cancelling her test. We have tried the apps that are available but they are offering even later than her new test date. Her instructor has said she is more than ready for her test so having to keep paying £40 a week for extra months is a struggle for her mum who is a single parent, her granddad has gave her loads of lessons as well but feel she still should be with instructor as she is use to her car. The DVLA seem to be a law unto themselves with no explanation why they cancelled. Constantly hearing about touts buying up block books of tests and selling for extortionate prices. She has added other towns to give a better chance to get a test soon but nothing coming forth. Her instructor is also trying to get an earlier date for her but she says this is so common of DVLA and doesn’t hold out much hope. This is a typically government run business who does not give two hoots how they treat people. Any advice would be greatly appreciated to put a smile on my granddaughter’s face! Thanks in advance.

Hi my husband is a driving instructor, no touts can block book, since covid they have struggled to get ahead of the back log of driving tests, sadly if a examiner suddenly becomes poorly it's not just your granddaughters test being cancelled the best thing she can do is speak to her driving instructor and ask them what days they arnt available to take her for a test ie other pupils tests or their holidays then go on to the dvla website and check every day for new allocations, this happens several times a week good luck to her.

Just as an aside, if you wanted to, you can take your driving test in your own car, so no need to book and pay loads of money for your instructors car.

Just asked him, it was Testi and he paid £12 extra he said to get notifications of cancellations (don’t know if he had to pay for app in first place?). He moved his test in about 3 or 4 steps forward by 4 1/2 months, and thankfully passed despite it being during morning rush hour (not that rushed really here though I don’t suppose🤔). I don’t know anymore than that as he sorted it all himself and I just kept saying ‘well done love’ every time he told me he’d got a new slot!

If her grandfather is happy for her to use his car, I would continue with that. We did this with DS, he was obviously ready to take his test so getting practice any way he could was our priority. It also meant, when his test eventually came, after months of checking several times a day, and having to travel 80 miles to take it. We didn't have to ensure the instructor was available.

I got the money back from Apple for both the apps as they didn’t find me a test!

Really! Shocked at that but really good for you.

This is what we did in the end (2 failed tests in instructor cars) as DD preferred driving her own car. Hadn't used an instructor for a few weeks by the time she took her final test.

We used testi but it looks like other apps are better now.

It’s so bad, and makes taking the test even more nerve-wracking when you know you’ll only be able to retake in 6 months if you fail

Her instructor says cancellations are constantly happening and she has been trying to get her another date changed with someone else as the date she got cancelled was one that had been someone else’s already, so she is on her 3rd date but to far away. Tried phoning DVSA this morning but they have none available but said to try on Monday but they don’t open until 8 by phone and because online opens at 6 am, we have tried that which is a nightmare even to get in the queue to speak to someone and then still nothing. I have watched programmes regarding block bookings and said it’s an on going problem and calling for the government to get it stopped like they did with ticket touts. Her instructor has put her in with 2 towns near to us to get a better chance, obviously she would prefer her own town but would happily go elsewhere. We have 2 different apps as well to notify us when anything is available, but seems a waste of money so far. Thank you for responding.

Just phoned DVSA and says nothing available and phone back Monday but it does not open until 8 by that time it’s open on line at 6 but we have tried that a lot but even the waiting time to speak to someone is horrendous so many people in front of you and that’s phoning before 6am. Like banging you head of a brick wall trying to get a date. Also have 2 apps we paid for but no luck there either.