Update on the reopening of the driving test booking service

Yesterday (20 August 2020) we let you know we would be opening the driving test booking service and online business service (OBS) so that everyone in England and Wales could book a driving test.

Following unprecedented demand on the booking system, we’re aware that some users have not been able to book at test and received error messages.

We are working to fix this problem as soon as possible and we apologise for any inconvenience and disappointment to those who have been unable to book so far.

Test slot availability 

We have limited numbers of tests available today but more will be released on Monday 24 August. Test slots will be released on rolling 6 week basis.

If you or your pupils cannot book a test at their preferred test centre, please check other nearby alternative test centres for availability. 

Please avoid calling the contact centre as they are extremely busy. All driving tests will be made available online as soon as possible.

Restarting driver training and testing in Scotland

The Scottish government has confirmed that driver training can restart on Monday 24 August in Scotland.

Driving tests will start again in Scotland on Monday 14 September 2020 which will give learner drivers time to have refresher lessons and practice before taking their test.

Driving instructor testing and standards checks will also restart on 14 September.

Vocational, car and trailer tests driving tests will resume in Scotland on Monday 31 August.

What to expect when taking a test

We have published guidance on GOV.UK for instructors and candidates to let them know what to expect on the day of their theory test and practical test.

Contacting candidates whose test was postponed

Scottish candidates who had their test postponed due to the pandemic will be invited to rearrange their test online when the tests in Scotland are made available via the online booking service. 

Please encourage your pupils who had a test booked to reschedule their test as soon as possible if they feel ready.

Please do this before asking new pupils who didn’t have a test booked before lockdown to book a test.

Guidance for instructors

DVSA shared our guidance for driving examiners with the driver training associations and they have updated their good practice guidance for instructors. Links to good practice guidance are included in the instructor guidance on GOV.UK.

This information will help you prepare for lessons with your pupils.

More information

Check GOV.UK for the latest about:

• theory tests
• driving tests
• instructor guidance

Reopening the driving test booking service

From tomorrow (Friday 21 August), we will be reopening the online booking service from 8am for everyone.

This means anyone will be able to book a driving test in England and Wales.

Test centres in Scotland remain closed, except for motorcycle tests. Driving lessons in Scotland will resume on 24 August and will let you know when driving tests can resume soon.

Making sure your pupils are prepared

We expect the demand for booking driving tests to be really high.

We know many of your pupils will be keen to book their test, but it’s important they speak to you first, to check they are ready and are well prepared.

We encourage you and your pupils to spend time practising on a variety of roads and in different driving conditions before booking their test.

Some of our services will unavailable tonight

So that we can make the booking service available from tomorrow, some of our services will be unavailable tonight (Thursday 20 August) from 6pm to 7:59am tomorrow (Friday 21 August) so we can prepare the system.

On GOV.UK, you won’t be able to:

• book and manage driving tests
• find driving schools, lessons and instructors
• use ADI services (such as renewing or updating your registration)
• check your Driver CPC training hours
• record any Driver CPC training you provide
• record delegated driving test details

You’ll still be able to book and manage theory tests.

Test slot availability

When 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 at the moment. This is so we can react quickly to any changes in government guidance about coronavirus.

Your pupils should check all their nearest test centres for availability if they cannot book a slot at their local test centre.

New test slots will be made available every week, on a rolling 6 week basis, so you and your pupils should continue to check regularly for a test slot if you cannot find one immediately. 

Closing the critical worker helpline

The critical worker application service closed on 14 August. This was so that we could open up the online booking service for everyone.

As the service has closed, we will also be closing the critical worker phone helpline from Monday 24 August. 

Our customer service centre is still receiving an extremely high number of calls and emails.

We’re sorry for the delays in getting through, but please help us by only calling if absolutely necessary.

Theory test certificates on driving tests

In our email update on Monday (17 August) we asked you to make sure your pupils brought their theory test certificates to their driving test.

We wanted to confirm that your pupils should still bring their theory test certificates if they have a paper version.

However if they can’t find it, they don’t need to order a replacement before coming to test.

Valid certificate

Your pupils will still need to have a valid theory test certificate before booking and taking their test.

If they don’t have a valid theory test pass, they should not attempt to take their test. The driving test pass will not be valid and they will not be given a full licence. 

Find more information about what to bring when taking a driving test on GOV.UK.

Motorcycle tests

Motorcycle module 1 and module 2 candidates will need to bring their theory test certificate before they take their test.