Can someone explain exactly what I need to do with regards to theory test and driving test please?

[LEM0NADEY]

My child is starting lessons. I’ve been told something about having to book a test in another part of the country and then wait until a closer one comes up and change it. I don’t know where to start.
Also how do you know how far ahead to book and also for the theory test?

Sorry wasn’t meant to be a poll

You can't book the practical test until they have passed the theory.

You don’t have to do that, if you are ok with waiting.
We’ve just booked my daughters, at out local centre, for January .. but we are in no rush.
Just factor in the delay… and then you don’t need to get involved with scalping apps.
You book on a Monday morning, when the slots are released

For theory, it’s more straightforward, you just book it in. You need to pass your theory before you take your practical

Hi, my DD is currently doing her lessons. She has just passed her theory test, which was easy enough to get her booked in (3-4 weeks). Your DC will need their theory test passed before they can book their practical. I wasn’t able to book DD practical straight away as there were none in our area. I had to wake up at 6am on a Monday morning, to join the online queue in order to get one booked at our local test centre. I booked 2 weeks ago and her test is in January. The practical test appointments get released every Monday morning at 6am. Hope this helps :)

It depends on the part of the country though. There’s no practical tests bookable near us for over a year (SE)
So you book in elsewhere to get into the system and then change when a cancellation becomes available closer.

Of the last three kids I know who took their test they have all had to use their parents cars for this reason. Driving instructor wasn’t available.

Okay thanks all. Really useful to know. I guess I should book the theory in soon then? So we are in SE so I guess no tests for a year? So how do I do this swap and cancel thing?

Get the theory test passed asap, it stands for two years ( I.e. pass your practical within two years of passing theory). As soon as theory is passed, get thevpractical booked, you have to keep looking, it’s tricky, refresh the screen, keep checking ( rubbish system) good luck. As soon as you have practical test booked let the instructor know. She needs availability obviously.

Book the theory test now.

My kids liked using the official app to practice questions. Think it was about a fiver.

They were also impressed with the number of driving instructor who have YouTube channels with driving videos. One of mine was learning during 2020 and YT helped when she couldn’t physically go out and drive as much as she’d liked.

Once you have the theory test passed, book a test anywhere you can get one in the UK (Unless you are lucky on a Monday morning!).. then look for cancellations.
We've used the Testi app and managed to bring my DD's next test forward from next february at a random vaguely nearish town, to next weekend in ours. If she doesn't pass we'll do the same again.
It's an absolute pain in the backside though and the system is a shambles!