To think the government need to pull their fingers out of their backsides with regards to driving tests?

[NotTonightDeidre]

DS has a test booked for the end of October. It was the earliest test we could get after he passed his theory.

He's ready to take his practical test now (has been for a few weeks) but I can't get an earlier test for love nor money!

Except that's a lie - if I'm willing to shell out over the odds or pay to sign up to an app, I might get a test sooner! But, I refuse to become part of the problem.

I've seen several slots come up, but, every time I click to book the slot is taken! No doubt by a goddamn sniper app.

Why are the government allowing this BS to continue? They're quick to block my access to the booking site because I manually refreshed the screen a dozen times, but yet the bots can book multiple slots!!

This won't get better until the powers that be put a stop to unscrupulous companies making a fast profit on selling tests at an inflated rate. And stop the apps.

I get there's a backlog. Recruitment & retention issues with driving instructors. However the lack of action against questionable bookings is only compounding the issue.

If only ranting on mumsnet could expedite the process.

It was suggested on a previous thread to book a cancellation in another area.

It's appalling how they are being slow at sorting out the problem.

There was a consultation about it recently. It’s infuriating.

We are looking for cancellations in a 20++ mile radius.

DS is willing to take the test literally anywhere!

It worries me that they might not even have the IT knowledge to block the sneaker/sniper bots.

The mess was clear as we came out of the pandemic four years ago. We need more examiners to clear the backlog and now they need to sort out the IT booking system too.

Try having a ND child taking the test. The system is hugely abelist. She can’t take it anywhere, it needs to be in the locality she is used to and we’re already paying £££ for a ND friendly teacher. She passed her theory with full marks ages ago and we have to keep her lessons topped up right until the test which is months away.It’s costing a fortune. If she fails we’re going to be locked in to yet more huge expense as it will be ages for a retest. Why can’t the whole system go back to how it used to be?

Appreciate this is not the point of the thread, but why is this your problem? Why are you booking his tests and spending your time looking for cancellations? If your son is old enough to drive, he's old enough to book a driving test.

Do young adults not do anything for themselves these days?

I have something for you to stick up your hoiked up judgey pants @HoskinsChoice: .

It’s awful, dd failed, because under pressure she briefly panicked and forgot an observation, now she’s looking at not being able to retake for at least 6 months. Which impacts getting to college, getting work, seeing friends. We live in a semi rural area and public transport gets worse every year.

It’s ludicrous. And yet another way young people are being shafted.

You are correct - this is not the point of the thread.

😂

It is absolutely appalling. You are practically forced to use a bot if you want any chance of getting a test date.

Ha ha, such a good point!

So you want them to crack down on the dodgy markets ?

do you also want them to increase the cost of the test to encourage more testers ?

Completely agree. Mine have both now passed but it’s an utter pain in the neck & another example of how shit things can be for our young people. Maybe write to your MP - see what they say? Sometimes they can raise it more effectively than others?

I don't understand how they're mass booking slots?
You need your name, driving licence number and confirmation of theory test pass to book. I believe you can then only book one practical test, you can't have multiple booked. So how are they getting around this?

Perhaps because his parents are paying for it not him?

Consultation?? if only we could fix the UKs problems with "Consultations"

We lead the world in these useless things, where nothing gets decided and by the time they report, a whole load of new issues have arisen.... but we'll have another consultation to fix those.....

DS was 17 in June and passed his theory a week after his birthday, we immediately booked a test even though he had barely started lessons. Problem is, the test is booked at a centre miles away and there are never any cancellations closer.

It is a HUGE mess. Mainly caused by comparatively low wages for examiners, if you're qualified to that level, you're much better off teaching than examining.

Yes, son passed theory at the beginning of January, and first practical test available (about. 4 hour drive away, nothing at any of the 5 test centers within an hour) was in July. He’s signed up with 2 of the cancellation apps, and has currently got one booked at a local centre in October. If he fails, there’s a risk he’ll time out from his theory. Disgusting.

It definitely got a lot worse between my two kids. They both booked the first available test and then I spent ages trying for a cancellation. I managed with ds but didn’t with dd so she had to wait. We’re in NI and if there’s a booking app here I wasn’t aware of it.

Oh and they both checked too but I did the bulk of it because they were at school most of the day so weren’t available!

When my other kids learned a couple of years ago it was easier - we had the Testi app which alerts you to slots and you log in and book. Apparently now though there is another app (currently closed to new users) where you enter your availability and when a slot comes up matching your criteria it automatically books it for you. So any new slots are gone within 2 or 3 seconds.

The whole system is broken though.

Yep. Dd failed 3 times and now we are waiting for test in her preferred town again in October. I booked it in bloody May. We have paid for a cancellation before which a hated idea of but her preferred town never came up and then you have to rush around doing test runs in the town that comes up. Not ideal for a high pressure exam.

She is also audhd but is a good driver now and drives with me regularly. I'm praying it's 4th time lucky for her.

It's cost a fortune!!!

It was 4th time lucky for my eldest with ADD and other issues, @HeBeaverandSheBeaver. Fingers crossed.

Mine cant