Driving test booking system closed

We have closed the driving test booking service as fewer than 5% of candidates are able to successfully book a driving test slot after queuing on the system.

The limited number of tests slots that are left after 1:30pm today will be added to the available slots next Monday. 

Test availability

We will reopen the booking system on Monday 7 September for tests for the following six weeks but test availability will still be limited so not everyone will be able to book a test yet.

The current queuing system will remain in place when we reopen the system on the 7 September to help manage the bookings.

More test appointments

We’re working hard to add more tests to the system for people to book. From 14 September we are extending the period in which tests can be booked to 18 weeks ahead.

This will allow us to add over 375,000 more test appointments between 14 September and the end of January 2021. Then almost everyone should be able to book a test.

If your pupil can’t book a test at their local centre, other nearby centres may be available. Your pupil should be properly prepared and able to take a test at any driving test centre.

Making sure your pupils are prepared

We know the demand for booking driving tests is really high.

It is vital that your pupils are test ready if they 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 re-test – so you or your pupils should only book when they are confident they can pass.

We encourage you and your pupils to make sure you have spent time practising on a variety of roads and in different driving conditions before booking a test.

Scotland

Test centres in Scotland remain closed, except for motorcycle tests. Driving lessons in Scotland resumed on 24 August and driving tests will resume on 14 September.

Tests slots for candidates in Scotland will be available to book on Monday 7 September for tests from 14 September. This is the date from which the Scottish Government has confirmed driving tests can restart.  

Customer service centre

Our customer service centre is still receiving an extremely high number of calls and emails. We’re sorry for the delays in getting through.

You will not be able to book or secure an earlier date for your driving test if you call us. All driving tests will be made available online as soon as possible.

Please help by only calling if absolutely necessary;

Reopening the driving test booking service

We are reopening the driving test booking service on Tuesday 1 September at 8am.

Driving Tests will be available to book in England and Wales but will be limited, with tests available to book for the next 6 weeks. This is until the next set of tests are released on 7 September, so a rolling 6 week period is available.

Tests slots for candidates in Scotland will not be available to book until Monday 7 September for tests from 14 September. This is the date from which the Scottish Government has confirmed driving tests can restart.  

Due to limited availability, unfortunately not everyone who wants one will be able to book a test on Tuesday. We’re working hard to add more tests to the system for people to book. From 14 September we are extending the period in which tests can be booked to 18 weeks ahead. This will allow us to add over 375,000 more tests to be booked for dates between 14 September and the end of January 2021. Then almost everyone should be able to book a test.

Changes to the booking service

As a result of high demand we will continue to use the queuing system we introduced last week, to ensure the stability of the system. So when you or a pupil logs in, you will not have access to the system straight away.

You will be held in a queue and given a queue number. We will regularly update gov.uk and our social media with information on driving test availability.

It is possible that you will be held in the queue for some time; please do not try to access the system using multiple devices as this increases the overall queue.

We will update gov.uk and our social media channels to let everyone know when all tests sell out.

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 or email them.

There is not a ‘waiting list’ or ‘cancellation list’ for driving tests. You can only book the appointments you can see online.

Making sure your pupils are prepared

Fewer than 50% pass the test and there could be long waiting times for a re-test – so you or your pupils should only book when they are confident they can pass.

It is vital that your pupils are test ready if they want to book now, as tests could be at short notice.

We encourage you and your pupils to make sure they have spent time practising on a variety of roads and in different driving conditions before booking a test.

Test slot availability

If your pupil can’t book a test at their local centre, other nearby centres may be available. Your pupil should be properly prepared and able to take a test at any driving test centre.

After 1 September, new test slots will be made available on Monday 7 September and every Monday after that. You and your pupils will need to check again when we add new tests if you cannot find one immediately. 

Scotland

Test centres in Scotland remain closed, except for motorcycle tests as a result of Scottish Government rules. Driving lessons in Scotland resumed on 24 August and driving tests will resume on 14 September.

Tests slots for candidates in Scotland will be available to book from Monday 7 September for tests from 14 September. Candidates who had their test suspended due to COVID-19 will be invited to choose a new date for their test before the general public in Scotland can book a test.  Test slots will be limited, with tests available to book 6 weeks ahead only.

Customer service centre

Our customer service centre is still receiving an extremely high number of calls and emails. We’re sorry for the delays in getting through.

You will not be able to book or secure an earlier date for your driving test if you call us.

Please help by only calling if absolutely necessary; new slots and cancellations are only available online.

Driving test booking system closed

We have closed the booking service as no more tests are available to book today (26 August 2020). 

Test availability

We will reopen the booking system on Tuesday 1 September for tests for the following six weeks. 

To allow us to react quickly to any changes in government guidance about coronavirus we are only making tests available six weeks in advance. 

The current queuing system will remain in place when we reopen the system on the 1 September to help manage the bookings. 

If your pupil can’t book a test at their local centre, other nearby centres may be available. Your pupil should be properly prepared and able to take at test at any driving test centre. 

Making sure your pupils are prepared

We know the demand for booking driving tests is really high.  

It is vital that your pupils are test ready if they 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 re-test – so you or your pupils should only book when they are confident they can pass. 

We encourage you and your pupils to make sure you have spent time practising on a variety of roads and in different driving conditions before booking a test. 

Scotland

Test centres in Scotland remain closed, except for motorcycle tests. Driving lessons in Scotland resumed on 24 August and driving tests will resume on 14 September.  

Tests are not currently available to book and we will let you know when we open the booking service for Scottish candidates. Tests will initially be prioritised for those who have previously had tests cancelled. 

Customer service centre

Our customer service centre is still receiving an extremely high number of calls and emails. We’re sorry for the delays in getting through. 

You will not be able to book or secure an earlier date for your driving test if you call us. All driving tests will be made available online as soon as possible. 

Please help by only calling if absolutely necessary; new slots and cancellations are only available online. 

Driving test booking service reopens following essential maintenance

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has reopened the driving test booking service, following unprecedented demand on Friday 21 August 2020.Published 22 August 2020
Last updated 26 August 2020 — see all updatesFrom:Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

The driving test booking service has reopened today (Wednesday 26 August 2020) following unprecedented demand that meant the service had to be taken offline for essential maintenance.

DVSA has introduced a queuing system for people using the service.

You’ll get a number and see where you are in the queue.

What to expect when you book your driving test

Only 35,675 appointments are available during the next 6 weeks. This is because:

• people who had a test cancelled because of coronavirus and critical workers who applied for an emergency driving test were given priority to book a test within some of this time
• social distancing measures are limiting the number of tests DVSA can carry out per day
• some critical worker tests are still being carried out as a priority

You’ll only be able to see and book appointments available within the next 6 weeks.

This means you must be ready to take your driving test within the next 6 weeks. 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.

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% of people pass the driving test and there could be long waiting times for a re-test – so 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.

Why appointments are only available within the next 6 weeks

DVSA is only making appointments available within the next 6 weeks so they can react quickly to any changes in government guidance about coronavirus.

New appointments will be made available each week, so a rolling 6-week period is available.

Reopening the driving test booking service

We are reopening the driving test booking service on Wednesday 26 August at 8am.

Driving tests will be available to book in England and Wales but will be limited, with only 35,675 tests available to book for the next six weeks. This is until the next set of tests are released on 1 September, so a rolling 6-week period is available.

Changes to the booking service

As a result of high demand we have introduced a queuing system to ensure the stability of the system, so when you or a pupil logs in, you will not have access to the system straight away.

You will be held in a queue and given a queue number.

We will update gov.uk and our social media with information on driving test availability.

It is possible that you will be held in the queue for some time; please do not try to access the system using multiple devices.

We will update gov.uk and our social media channels to let everyone know when all tests sell out.

Making sure your pupils are prepared

We know the demand for booking driving tests is really high, with over 870,000 individual devices trying to access our booking system on Friday.

Only 35,675 driving tests will be available when the booking service reopens until the next set of tests are released on 1 September.

When you or your pupils arrange a test, they will be able to see available appointments within the next 6 weeks.

We’re not taking bookings any further in advance so we can react quickly to any changes in government guidance about coronavirus.

It is vital that your pupils are test ready if they want to book now, as tests could be at short notice.

Fewer than 50% pass the test and there could be long waiting times for a re-test – so you or your pupils should only book when they are confident they can pass.

We encourage you and your pupils to make sure they have spent time practising on a variety of roads and in different driving conditions before booking a test.

Test slot availability

If your pupil can’t book a test at their local centre, other nearby centres may be available. Your pupil should be properly prepared and able to take at test at any driving test centre.

After 26 August, new test slots will be made available on Tuesday 1 September and every Monday after that. You and your pupils will need to check again when we add new tests if you cannot find one immediately. 

Test centres in Scotland

Test centres in Scotland remain closed, except for motorcycle tests as a result of Scottish Government rules. Driving lessons in Scotland resumed on 24 August and driving tests will resume on 14 September.

Tests in Scotland are not currently available to book and we will let you know when we open the booking service for candidates. We will initially prioritise those who have previously had tests cancelled as a result of the pandemic.

Customer service centre

Our customer service centre is still receiving an extremely high number of calls and emails. We’re sorry for the delays in getting through.

You will not be able to book or secure an earlier date for your driving test if you call us.

Please help by only calling if absolutely necessary; new slots and cancellations are only available online.