When to book test? - Driving101

Dear Learner,

I’ve added this new page to my website called ‘When to book my test?’

Because of the dvla waiting times for a test, this has become an increasing problem for all Learners, and their driving instructors. So I’ve tried to explain what my experience is, and my advice.

I hope it helps. I would really appreciate your (and your parents) honest feedback on this page, as I want it to be helpful, not add to the confusion.

Many thanks

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In January… the Learner isn’t test-ready yet, but wants to book their practical test, because they have heard that there is a long DVLA waiting time. They ask their instructor how many more lessons they think they will need, but it’s often too early for the instructor to be able to predict (for more information please visit www.driving101.co.uk/how-many-lessons). If your instructor does give you a date or number of lessons, please remember this is only an estimate and your instructor cannot possibly predict a definite date.

	OPTION 1:	OPTIONS 2:	OPTION 3:	OPTION 4:
Jan	Don’t book test yet	Book test now Learner books test for August (earliest date available)	Book test now Learner books test for August (earliest date available)	Book test now Learner books test for August (earliest date available)
May	Instructor says almost test-ready, so book test Learner books test for December (earliest date available, currently 6 months waiting time) Learner then contacts (and pays) a 3rd-party company to get the test date brought forward to June (currently 1 month waiting time)
Jun	Learner takes test and passes or fails. If fails, learner books another test for December (earliest date available, currently 6 months waiting time) Learner then contacts 3rd-party company again (foc? – offers vary) to get test date brought forward to July (currently 1 month waiting time)
Aug			Learner is not test-ready Learner changes test date, on .gov website, to February (earliest date available, currently 6 months waiting time)	Learner is test-ready Learner passes first time Learner does NOT need to contact (and pay) a 3rd-party company
Oct			Learner is almost test-ready Learner contacts (and pays) a 3rd-party company to get the test date brought forward to November (currently 1 month waiting time)

CONCLUSION

There is little advantage to booking your test until your driving instructor confirms that you will be test-ready in one month’s time. Current approximate waiting times are:

DVLA – 6 months;
3rd-party companies – one month.

The Learner could avoid having to contact and pay a 3rd-party company:

If the Learner books their test well in advance and is lucky enough to be both: test-ready exactly when that date comes around (i.e. without the need to change the date to earlier or later); and also to pass their test first time – see option 4;
The Learner is able to get an appropriate date themselves off the .gov website;
** Unfortunately, in my experience, both of the above are extremely rare. **

MAY 2022

Current approximate waiting times: DVLA = 6 months ; 3rd-party companies = 1 month;
DVLA are considering increasing the amount of time after a Learner has failed their practical test, before they can book their next test, from 2 weeks to 4 weeks;
Learners should book and pay for tests via the .gov website – gov.uk/book-driving-test. At that time, if they know that they are definitely going to contact (and pay) a 3rd-party company to get the test date brought forward, they can book the test for anytime and anywhere (on the .gov website). Once the Learner has the booking reference number, they then contact (and pay) a 3rd-party company, giving preferred date(s) and driving test centre(s);
3rd-party companies – prices and offers vary, so Learner may need to shop around *
Learner can change their test date with .gov up to 3 times, and need to give at least 3 working days notice – www.gov.uk/change-driving-test

USEFUL LINKS