The pandemic continues to cause long wait-times for driving tests across the UK. In a recent survey by Young Driver, not one of the 150 driving instructors questioned said the situation was ‘anywhere near being back to normal’.
© Provided by Motoring Research Driving licence
Some 66 percent of instructors also said delays for driving tests haven’t reduced at all since summer 2021.
Thankfully, the DVSA’s driving test availability service allows learner drivers to check for available tests in almost real-time.
The DVSA online tool is updated every 30 minutes and is available from 6am to 11.40pm. It lists every test location in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), along with current availability. You can book a test up to 18 weeks in the future.
Book a driving test online
© Provided by Motoring Research Learning to drive
One of four descriptions will be displayed alongside each driving test centre location:
Appointments available – tests are available within the next six weeks.Limited availability – between 90 and 95 percent of all appointments in the next six weeks are booked.Very limited availability – more than 95 percent of all appointments in the next six weeks are booked.No availability – there are no appointments within the next six weeks.
The service shows availability for car tests, as well as lorry, bus and coach, plus Motorcycle Module 1 and 2.
Officials advise learner drivers to use the service while they wait to book a test. However, ‘when you reach the front of the queue, there is no guarantee that appointments will still be available. It’s possible that available appointments might have been booked.’
Officials have also advised learner drivers not to use third party websites that ‘charge for something that people can do for free themselves via our online booking service.
‘There is not a “waiting list” or “cancellation list” for driving tests,’ states the website. ‘You can only book the appointments that you can see online.’
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Keyword: How to check driving test availability online