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.

driving tests have nothing to do with the government

And the apps don’t sell them on at inflated rates. The learner pays the exact same price, from the exact same website if they find a cancellation through an app than they would if they went straight to the website.

The DVSA is responsible which is a government body. The apps don't work with our test centre any more. The only people who have got tests here have paid an inflated price to instructors on Facebook.

It’s madness. Getting up at 5.45am to get in an online queue to get a test. We’ve got one booked for November but she’s ready now 😩🙄
Bots are ruining it for everyone.

I can't see how it can be described as nothing to do with the government.

Driving tests are booked and administered via the DVSA, which is one of the "1 of the 5 executive agencies that make up the Department for Transport", to quote Careers at DVSA

That's why the literal Transport Secretary keeps being quoted in the media for promising to tackle the issue.

Please note that both the links I've given you are gov-dot-uk links.

I feel like the government might have bigger fish to fry at the moment.

I think this is a deliberate tactic by the government / dept of transport to not increase the number of drivers on the road. They are deliberately choking the booking system to make it harder for people to pass their test.

sorry op, I feel your pain.

Why on earth can’t the bots be removed.

It’s bonkers, it’s hardly a major unknown issue. I agree with you.

I would not be surprised if those selling on tests at an inflated level are not declaring the profit they make. Therefore in a way some of it could be a form of tax evasion.

The DVLA has in my opinion long been a failed organisation and this is just one example.

As for those noting that there is a wish for less car use, the way to reduce the number of car drivers is to ban those whose conduct or health is not good enough for driving. Start by ending the hardship excuse to avoid a driving ban, and have compulsory regular eye tests.

Yes. See also the fucking insane roadworks in some places. They dgaf. They want us to stop driving but public transport is shite so I’m not sure what they want us to do really.

The proliferation of cycle lanes too..cycling to commute is the preference. Im actually considering an electric bike, because it would be faster than a school day commute. The roads are rammed while cycle lanes nearly empty except for a few sections where there may be half a dozen cyclists.

They also need to extend the theory test length as if dd fails again I'll have no choice but to pay inflated bot prices or risk her their running out. 😢

I don't understand this? You can't book more than one test can you?

At the moment there is zero chance of getting a test within 3 months at your preferred test centre.

When did he pass his theory?

It's 2 years, I wouldn't worry about that.

She has failed 3 times so I do need to worry about that.

It’s awful, even though DC1 is 4 years off learning to drive I have huge sympathy with all the current learner drivers.

If anyone knows of a petition please let me know and I’ll willingly sign it, plus if anyone has a particularly proactive MP (sadly not me) it could be worth flagging the issue to them.

Without scrolling back @Untailoredsounds right. It’s just a sodding booking issue. Why it hasn’t been sorted is madness.

We checked daily for cancellations and got one within a week

Yanbu. I think it's disgusting that the system has become so corrupt

So much wrong with the current system, and banning driving instructors from using bots has had limited effect. I recently contacted the two ‘providers’ who I purchased tests from a couple of years ago (dc failed first test) and both have since been banned and only offer lessons now.

In my view the driving test fix needs to start by making sure all test slots are used. I was shocked to learn that my nearest test centre has around 10 wasted test bookings EACH DAY due to lateness, no shows, failed eye tests, and forgotten driving licence!

Remember back in the day when you could rock up to the airport in the hope of bagging a no-show / spare seat on a flight? That system could be applied to driving tests. I know won’t work for or suit all circumstances, but many pupils have their own or access to private vehicles suitable to take a test in.

Booking system should include a ‘waiting list’ option for a stated test centre to allow those who can get there and willing to hang around in the hope of a cancellation to make use of those slots. Not rocket science and will increase likelihood that every test slot is used. DC had own vehicle to practice in and nearest test centre literally 2 miles away and I would have been willing to spend a few days waiting in the hope for a cancellation, which would have been better than the additional ££££ I paid out to the bots route.

But then they advise people to “just book a test in any location and trade it” - which just adds to the problem.

I manage websites and block bots. It’s all a scam supported by the driving test website itself (whether that’s deliberate or not).

Not unless you're an instructor. They can book without a licence number, so can make multiple bookings they may not need. Meanwhile ordinary individuals wanting one test, can't get a single test at any time. They might have a hope if they get up at 5 am on a Monday and get in a queue of 12000 people. But it won't be at your own test centre.

OK then, surely the answer is to remove this privilege from instructors? It seems to be being abused and leading to all these problems.