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Plans to reduce practical test waiting times
The DVSA has announced yet more plans which are hoped will reduce test waiting times which will mean come spring time you will have to book the test yourself, you will only be allowed to swap it twice and only in an area close to the previous test.
Personally we believe it will make the situation worse as it will not actually provide any more tests which is the real issue. It will however greatly reduce the tests being sold for excessive profit and that is to be applauded!
At the start of the year it was felt that the DVSA would conduct 1.8 million tests this year, they have now said it will increase to 1.9 million, however it was estimated that there will be 5 million people looking for tests this year, so you can see the actual problem!
Each year it is hoped that they will fix the problem by the following summer but at the moment it appears to be getting worse not better! Hopefully these new changes will start to reverse the shortfall but we doubt it & fear it will take a couple of years at the very least so best to book early for the foreseeable future!
Fancy becoming an examiner?
The DVSA are planning to employ 450 new examiners this year in their effort to reduce waiting times so if you think this is the job for you then to find out more click on this link to take you to the DVSA site.
Cancellation times increase!
The DVSA has announced earlier this year that it would increase the short notice cancellation period for tests to 10 clear working days (it used to be 3 days) in an effort to reduce wasted test slots due to these cancellations. At the time we felt this is wrong as there tended to be no such wasted test slots in our area, & in fact we have been proved right and the ‘no shows’ have increased with one test centre having a total of 100 tests not taking place in one month alone! The use of apps to get short notice tests are a big part of the problem! Please if you are going to use one of these apps then make sure the date they offer you is over 2 weeks ahead to give you chance to cancel before the 10 ‘working’ days if you find you cannot get an instructor to cover the test.
You can request a refund for the cost of your practical test through the online cancellation service at https://www.gov.uk/cancel-driving-test
You need to include your name and 2 of the following identifiers in your email:
- your driving licence number
- your theory test pass certificate number
- your driving test booking reference
Though they are talking about reducing the waiting times don’t think it will happen any time soon as they have to interview potential examiners first. Then there is 6 weeks of training before they start to examine candidates and that usually starts with an experienced examiner in the back!
I am not being negative, just realistic, but it is great that they are finally doing something about it!