Driving Theory Test Results

[FeetCrushingWithHighHeels6788]

What's the quickest way to book a driving test and avoid all this 3-6 month waiting list crap? How can a government website be taken over like this?
I have passed my car theory test on the first attempt and I just don't wanna waste any time. For the multiple-choice section | got 46/50 and do the HPT part I got 65/75 l've done around 10-11 manual driving lessons now and I'm booking to do a some more.

Best advice is book as soon as you've passed the theory test then keep an eye out for cancellations and be flexible about where you take the test. I'm not sure why you think the scores you got on the theory test are relevant though?

There’s an app you can download and pay for. I can’t remember the name of it. You get a notification when a cancellation has come up.

There are apps, like Testi, but they sometimes don’t work because .gov is trying to block them.

The best thing to do is book a test at 6am on a Monday anywhere in the county you can get one because it’s quicker to change a test than it is to book a new test and if a test comes on you need to be fast.

Then you either use an app or you keep the page open and keep refreshing every so often and hope for the best. Alternatively, you book a test somewhere there isn’t such a big shortage and sit it there. One of my dc did it in Newcastle and we drove three hours to get there from Notts where r there are no tests.

Yes get up at 5.30 and log right into the test booking system. Then book your test whenever available and look for a swap sooner if needs be

The best way is to book your test anywhere in the UK where there's one available in the next few weeks and go there for the test!
This is recommended by MSE too. Yes, it might be expensive but at least you're guaranteed your test date🤷‍♀️

DS doing just this in two weeks time. He will practice there the day before his test. He didn't want to wait six months to get another test locally or faff around with apps.

^This.

DS' test falls right at the start of the October break which is perfect as DH is able to accompany him.

Book your test on the government website then download TestShift (I think it was £17) and use that to bring your test forward. Testi is another app though we didn’t find it as useful. We have just been through this with my DC. He managed to change his test from December to September and passed 1st time. Saved us a fortune on lessons.
The government website does release new test dates every Monday at 6am but think they are currently booking for March onwards. Madness.

It's just a pass or fail for theory test OP. Well done though!

DS is driving 5hrs to get on a ferry for his, ferry 1hr 45m then 30 minutes to the test centre from there. He's practicing for a day beforehand though. And got accommodation.

Glad others are also doing similar now. It means you're guaranteed a test date.

We had ferry tickets to book as soon as the test was booked. Ferry tickets sell fast so we couldn't risk relying on an app to switch dates. Too much of a gamble!!

I do agree the system is ridiculous though. BIg changes are needed but I’m assuming it’s not a priority for anyone

Can your driving instructor not book one for you?

They face the same issues. There simply aren’t enough tests.

No, many don't do that. DS was told that he has to book his own tests.

Means the accountability is taken away from the driving instructor especially if you need to rearrange or cancel it. Extra admin for them.

DS1 booked his own but then the local driving instructors work together swapping tests around between pupils who are ready and pupils who need more time. It works really well and nobody has to wait months and months when they are test ready.

My eldest’s test was booked by their driving instructor, I assumed it was the norm.. maybe we just got lucky!

It might work really well for those students but it’s this messing about and holding tests instead of them being available to book that’s clogging up the system in the first place.

I did a survey for .gov earlier in the year when I had booked a test for my dd and some of the questions were about this practice and whether instructors and driving schools should be allowed to book tests. And I don’t think they should be able to.

Get onto the Gov website, there are tests in March (I am literally on the website now) so book one, then you keep logging in every day to change the test date and pull it forward.

Quite honestly with only 10-11 hours driving you are very likely not going to pass. You need far more driving lessons to put you into lots of situations. There are a lot of mock tests on Youtube with driving instructors and they point out all the things they do well and the things they got wrong. Also watch Dash Cam videos on Youtube so you can see how often people who have passed their test fuck up and you will see a pattern. It is a free resource and very informative.

Understand the most common reason to fail a test is junction observation and then mirrors. The DVSA I believe recommend 45 hours of instructor lessons and 22 hours of private practise. My second child has been learning to drive this summer so has been having 3 lessons a week or 6 hours every week. He is test ready but his test is not for a couple of months. I am trying to get another one booked which is why I am on the booking website. Ds has gone back to uni.