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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Driving tests

33 replies

Duchess87 · 17/10/2024 06:31

Hi can anyone advise on how I can book a drinking test for my dd please
it’s impossible months ahead on DVSa

OP posts:
MoreCardassianThanKardashian · 17/10/2024 07:16

I think that's just how it is since Covid. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it's not as it was previously where you fail and retest within 2 weeks. It's really shit.

GiraffeTree · 17/10/2024 07:18

I used the Testi app for my DS. It notifies you when there are cancellations.

Rowgtfc72 · 17/10/2024 07:20

Dds driving instructor booked hers for her.

Chasingsquirrels · 17/10/2024 07:32

They generally seem to be released at 6.30am on Monday mornings, 5 months ahead.
You book one, and then once booked you can change it.
At that point you either check regularly for cancellations, or pay a subscription to use one of the aps.

FeatherBoat · 17/10/2024 07:39

It's really difficult. Where I live (Nottingham) it's almost impossible. One of our test centres has closed down and another hasn't released tests for two weeks.

It's 6am the tests are released.

Original poster
Duchess87 · 17/10/2024 07:43

Thankyou for your replies, it’s so frustrating and more so if someone fails and has to go through the same shit again
Do they only get released on Monday mornings ? As I tried this morning at 6am 6 months ahead at various test centres with no luck

OP posts:
Chasingsquirrels · 17/10/2024 07:51

The test you book initially doesn't have to have to be near you, it just allows you to get into the system.

Bury St Edmunds currently has bookable tests in Mar 25. You book one, and then you are able to access the change system and use the paid for apps (or just keep checking yourself).

Yes, tests released at 6am Mondays (not 6.30am as I mentioned earlier).

ThatsNotMyTeen · 17/10/2024 07:53

Chasingsquirrels · 17/10/2024 07:32

They generally seem to be released at 6.30am on Monday mornings, 5 months ahead.
You book one, and then once booked you can change it.
At that point you either check regularly for cancellations, or pay a subscription to use one of the aps.

Edited

This

book any old one you can at any test centre and then use one of the apps to book a more convenient one - cancellations etc do come up

SoupDragon · 17/10/2024 07:55

Drinking test! 😂 love it.

DD's driving instructor booked hers for her this year. I think DS's might have too but he doesn't live at home so I'm not sure. They were both only a month or so from the date of booking.

FeatherBoat · 17/10/2024 07:55

Do they only get released on Monday mornings ? As I tried this morning at 6am 6 months ahead at various test centres with no luck

Yes Mondays. Sometimes they are released at other times but rarely. I could write a book on it now! Grin

Then on Mondays, as people who have already got a test book the new releases, other tests that those people have cancelled will pop up.

The difficulty is that if you are using an instructors car you have to book a test when they are free which adds an extra layer of complication.

Chasingsquirrels · 17/10/2024 07:57

I've noticed that blocks of tests seem to be released a few days in advance (eg a tester becomes available for a whole day, so that day gets every time-slot released).
These then go like wildfire, but they usually free up a later test that the bookees already had, so within minutes there are spread out tests available over the next couple of months. These also go like wildfire.

BeyondMyWits · 17/10/2024 07:57

Dd is going through it at the moment. When she wanted driving lessons, the first thing the instructor said was "take your theory", next thing was " book your practical test". He wasn't available for lessons for 3 months. Practical test was booked for 5 months ahead and moved when it was clear she would not be ready. Fingers crossed, she takes it next week. Otherwise it will be back on the site at 6am Monday hoping for a cancellation... or booking whatever they can and checking, checking, checking for cancellations.

DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 17/10/2024 07:59

We booked an intensive course for DS and they were able to get cancellations much better than us. The first test was booked about 2 months after our first contact with them. They then booked a week of lessons in the days running up to the test. When he failed, they found a cancellation within 2 weeks but he didnt need any extra lessons, so he just paid them for the test and use of the instructors car. He had a 3rd and final test within 2 weeks of failing the 2nd.

We are in an area that generally has about 5-6 months wait for a test date (without messing about getting a test anywhere then hunting for a cancellation ourselves).

WoahThreeAces · 17/10/2024 08:35

It's awful. DS had to wait 6 months in between tests when he failed. I had 3 different apps to get cancellations, nothing. He failed the second time too, then no tests available before he went to uni. So that was it really. He doesn't want to do it while he is at uni so I guess that's thousands of pounds down the drain. Rubbish.

Original poster
Duchess87 · 17/10/2024 08:45

Duchess87 · 17/10/2024 06:31

Hi can anyone advise on how I can book a drinking test for my dd please
it’s impossible months ahead on DVSa

I could do with a drinking test 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
Duchess87 · 17/10/2024 08:50

Its so frustrating and disheartening for people , my dd was taking her lessons at home and was doing well passed the theory which wasn’t easy that took a few attempts .
She’s at uni now and I’ve had a hell of a job finding an instructor at the uni location but just about managed . The theory is valid for 2 years but I’d like her to continue driving or she’ll lose confidence . It’s a nightmare situation & as you said it’s costing loads .

OP posts:
Original poster
Duchess87 · 17/10/2024 08:51

Oh and I’ve just been blocked on the DVSA website due to the fact I’ve been on there too many times

OP posts:
Ellerby83 · 17/10/2024 09:06

It's so shit. If you book a test anywhere in the country you can then try to get one in the location you want. I used Driving Test Now app for my ds. He has just passed on 3rd attempt. He has gaps of 7 months and 9 months between tests because he couldn't get one any sooner.

Chasingsquirrels · 17/10/2024 12:22

Duchess87 · 17/10/2024 08:51

Oh and I’ve just been blocked on the DVSA website due to the fact I’ve been on there too many times

The block clears quite quickly.

LeoTimmyandVi · 18/10/2024 08:24

I’m somehat of a pro now as son has been unsuccessful on three tests so far 😭! Our local test centre serves a very busy city as well so very hard to get tests! Each time I booked a test anywhere (Worcester is good) then got Testi premium and spent hours of my life refreshing the screen and trying to book cancellations.

it is very frustrating as my son is an apprentice and has no leave left this year - so I am trying to book a coveted Saturday slot of very early on a Monday morning. Good luck to you, it will all be worth it 🤣!

LeoTimmyandVi · 18/10/2024 08:25

Oh, the ban will lift but takes a few hours. Alternative is to unplug your router for a few hours and it resets the IP address

CraftyNavySeal · 18/10/2024 08:29

Book the first one you can on Monday at 6am and then use DVSA booking helper chrome extension.

Recently DP booked a test for March and in about half an hour of trying was able to rebook for December.

KnittedCardi · 18/10/2024 08:41

DD was a COVID cohort lesson and test taker. I can't even remember now how many lessons and tests were cancelled. Nightmare, and costly.

She eventually got more lessons and her test in her Uni town, and passed there. Was easier to get tests there too.

I remember she booked her initial test slot in the Isle of Man, we live in Surrey 😂 A memorable DC on here travelled from London to the Isle of Wight to take their test, with 24 hours notice, and passed! Kudos to the parent who got them there.

OnaBegonia · 18/10/2024 08:59

Definetely get the instructor to book, they can get cancellations quickly.
My DS passed earlier this year, the instructor knew when he'd be ready and booked for the February in December.
She definetely needs an instructor to get to test standard and to be familiar with test routes.

Original poster
Duchess87 · 18/10/2024 15:56

CraftyNavySeal · 18/10/2024 08:29

Book the first one you can on Monday at 6am and then use DVSA booking helper chrome extension.

Recently DP booked a test for March and in about half an hour of trying was able to rebook for December.

Thankyou what is the dvsa booking helper please

OP posts:
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