Driving Test Booking
Discussion
Just started to help a friend with this since I managed to get my two kids tests pretty quick after Covid, when things were crazy. But it looks like things are still very bad indeed. Dozens of apps scraping the website dry constantly, fake apps and people buying and selling test dates has contributed to almost no dates offered countrywide everytime I check and a hugely frustrating and time consuming process to book a driving test anywhere near where you live.
Why on earth hasn't the DVSA just modified the website to take the same parameters as the apps, asking for basic information like a date range and the test centres you want and emailing you once a test is booked. Removes all the expensive apps, the fake apps and scammers in one foul swoop and makes the system fair for everyone and removes the need for their booking system to handle so many connections and constantly fight (a losing) battle to stop automated bots killing availability?
cashmax said:
Alos just read that instructors are block booking tests and selling them back at a premium. Just crazy, the government could achieve a genuine and quick win for everyone with a simple update to the website.
That's rubbish, they can't do that. My daughter has not long passed and this can't happen.The testi app works, though. You will need the premium version, but we manged to bring our daughter's date forward by four months. Could have been earlier, but she didn't want to.
cashmax said:
Road2Ruin said:
That's rubbish, they can't do that. My daughter has not long passed and this can't happen.
.
Thats what I thought until I read it recently. .
To book a test for a pupil, you will need
'pupil’s driving licence number when you book a car test, or confirm their details for other types of tests'
They can't book blank, random slots except for motorcycle and some HGV tests.
Having gone through this process twice recently, it can be frustrating, but is actually quite simple. Firstly book a test at your chosen centre at the earliest opportunity. Just get the earliest date you can. Then just sit on the DVLA test booking site and watch for cancellations and be ready to jump on one as soon as it comes available. We managed to get tests for both of our two kids quickly this way. I did try one of the apps, but just found that by the time we were notified of a cancellation it had already been booked and I think personally they are a frustrating waste of time.
I spoke with a couple of examiners in South Wales last week. That day they had students coming for test from Bristol, Reading, London and even Perth in Scotland. And that is now an almost daily occurrence. Purely due to them not being able to get tests near them. Seems absolutely crazy to me, just cost wise.
How do they get their instructor to go with them? Or do they all do it in their own cars? Overnight stay? I'd also be interested to see what the pass rate is for the 'out of towners' compared to local? Not knowing or having run the routes. How they cope with the 20mph areas speed wise.
How do they get their instructor to go with them? Or do they all do it in their own cars? Overnight stay? I'd also be interested to see what the pass rate is for the 'out of towners' compared to local? Not knowing or having run the routes. How they cope with the 20mph areas speed wise.
Road2Ruin said:
cashmax said:
Road2Ruin said:
That's rubbish, they can't do that. My daughter has not long passed and this can't happen.
.
Thats what I thought until I read it recently. .
To book a test for a pupil, you will need
'pupil s driving licence number when you book a car test, or confirm their details for other types of tests'
They can't book blank, random slots except for motorcycle and some HGV tests.
Given they'll more than likely be the one making the call on when the pupil is ready to book a test, they can either tell them they've secured them a spot or sell on at a premium.
I've got no experience here, 20 years since I last saw the inside of a test centre, but thats how I would game the current system based on the rules you guys have laid out.
So it's just come out this morning that only the learner is going to be able to book tests in the future to stop bots and instructors block booking etc
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn09v4d2xe7o
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn09v4d2xe7o
Edited by nordboy on Wednesday 12th November 12:13
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