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Plans to reduce practical test waiting times
The DVSA has announced a 7 point plan to create more tests to reduce waiting times and though we always welcome plans to improve waiting times we do not think it will help in the near future in our area.
At the start of the year it was felt that the DVSA will conduct 1.8 million tests this year, they have now said it will increase to 1.9 million, however it is estimated that there will be 5 million people looking for tests this year!
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 so hopefully the plans will start to reverse the shortfall but we 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 that the short notice cancellation period for tests has increased to 10 clear working days (it used to be 3 days) in an effort to reduce wasted test slots due to these cancellations. We feel this is wrong as there tends to be no such wasted test slots in our area, & in fact will increase the ‘no shows’ which are already a big problem with around 400 wasted tests last year at the Kings Lynn test centre alone! Now you have to cancel even earlier this number will surely increase, and 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!