The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced that the driving test booking service will return to being available between 6am and 11:40pm each day from Wednesday 16 September 2020.
You’ll be able to book, change or cancel tests in England, Scotland and Wales.
Gareth Llewellyn, DVSA Chief Executive, said:
We’re pleased to have met customers’ exceptionally high demand for tests. Since Monday 14 September, over 182,000 driving tests have been booked.
We continue to monitor the number of people using the service and the number of available appointments to help us meet demand.
Fewer than 50% pass the test first time, so we’re asking candidates and instructors to only book a test when they are confident they can pass.
You can now book 18 weeks ahead
You can now book driving test appointments within the next 18 weeks. This means you can now book appointments as far as January 2021.
DVSA has increased the number of car driving tests that each driving examiner carries out from 5 to 6 per day. DVSA can safely increase the number of tests a day as driving examiners are:
- now familiar with how to use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face coverings and gloves
- following the latest safety guidance when carrying out tests
When you book your driving test
You’ll be able to see and book appointments available within the next 18 weeks.
You must be ready to take your driving test within that time. If you’re not ready, do not try to book now.
The service will show you available appointments at your other nearest driving test centres if your preferred choice is fully booked.
All the available appointments are shown on the online service. The DVSA customer service centre does not have access to any other appointments, so please do not call them.
There is not a ‘waiting list’ or ‘cancellation list’ for driving tests – you can only book the appointments you can see online.
Checking you’re eligible
Your driving test booking is subject to confirmation that you have:
DVSA will check that you have both of these before your test. If your test is booked at short notice (within a week of your booking), DVSA will check it as a priority before the day of your test.
If you do not have both of these, DVSA will contact you before the date of your test to cancel it and offer you a refund.
Practise with your driving instructor
It is vital that you are test-ready if you want to book now, as tests could be at short notice.
On average fewer than 50% pass their driving test and there could be long waiting times for a retest – you should only book when you are confident you can pass.
DVSA encourages you to spend time practising on a variety of roads and in different driving conditions with your driving instructor before you book your test.
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