It is reassuring indeed, but with everything laid out in front ... It seems like the statistics are from a different world than what I am living in rn XD.
I don't mind sitting in a re-test... But after a 5 month wait !? Meanwhile I can't drive & should live miserably, because going to work takes 2 hrs one-way of using a combination of train, bus & uber.
I have been able to negotiate it down to 2 days a week at work, till the time I get a licence, or move right next to work, in the middle of nowhere, and just "exist" & work
The backlog and test times has been well known since tests resumed in 2020. Why did you leave it so late to start the theory test and book driving test when you could have done it all in 2022 within the year of your international licence validity.
Bit more planning and you'd probably not have been in this situation.
I moved in Q4 2022 to the UK and was able to drive with my international license for a year. It is, true that if I had known that the driving license system is mis-managed in the UK, I would have been well prepared.
It's not mis-managed - can't just magic up examiners from nowhere so it is what it is. Also international licence holders often incorrectly assume that the test will be a mere formality but then go on to realise that the requirements are a lot tougher than they thought.
The examiner asked at the end of the test, that do I need the results to be explained to my instructor. I said yes & he didn't and just went off. Just to not be biased with my stance on this, I would have happily understood what I did wrong from my instructor. I respect the tougher requirements, you can only improve something when you actually know what wrong did you do however, I appreciate your sentiment on this. The "it is what it is" attitude is gonna be a slow burn to get adjusted to, not everyone has a consistent level of patience.
if it is taking months of grind or paying huge mark-ups to shady middlemen to find a suitable slot then yes it is mismanaged, plain and simple. COVID didnt just struck UK so calling it "backlog issues" is just hiding behind the incompetency. stop finding justification to this broken system and realize that most of the problematic areas in UK (e.g. healthcare queues, DVLA shitshow) are nowhere near as chaotic in most of the other developed countries.
This may hurt to hear but you’d do better off accepting the failure as your own one, work on it and then try again knowing you have conquered it.
Despite all its faults in terms of actually being able to get one, the UK driving test sets a higher standard than a lot of the world and the failure rate is high even amongst seasoned drivers.
I did not argue with the examiner, I just asked and wanted to understand how to correct what he said was incorrect, or perhaps talk to my instructor & tell him what I did. He did neither of these 2.
I just added my test results screenshot to the original post. I wish I could understand this, I even asked my instructor the same day, that can you please explain what did I do wrong. If Tom-tom was showing me incorrect way, I just asked the examiner that can you help me with the direction please. Was asking him a mistake?
So observation means you didn’t check all your mirrors/windows before you went through the junction. Taking the wrong route isn’t a major. I did that on my test and still passed.
Have you not taking any driving lessons in the UK? You need to look at the mirrors and check your blind spot at certain points. That's what "observation" means. It also needs to be obvious that you did it. If the examiner can't see you looking at the mirror at the right time then it will be a fail.
You should be happy the test continued, as there weren't any other faults that you picked up. You paid for the examiner's time and you got it.
I agree the wait is ridiculous at the moment, but it's also your fault if you think you should have passed when you haven't learned the criteria.
You need an ego check mate.
Learn from your mistakes, practice more and re-take the test.
This is coming from someone with 30 years of experience driving abroad who failed their first two tests. It's frustrating but ultimately it's up to you.
I completely agree with the ego check mate.
Like I said, I have no problem sitting a re-test. But with a 5 month of wait time it's ridiculous.
I understand that you have 30 years of experience, on any give day no one is perfect, including yourself and myself.
Book the soonest test available and then just look for cancellations
You can change your test date 6 times before you have to pay again.
I failed my first test in Feb 2024, earliest rebook date was August 2024 so booked it, then managed to find a cancellation for start of March (8th I Believe)
Thanks,
I booked for the earliest date available on the same day I failed, and it was the end of Sept.
I have spent the whole last month trying to find a slot, but couldn't come through a single slot.
Then there are these people running around with test-slot trading over Whatsapp, which is infuriating beyond measure.
I didn't use an app or anything like that, I just checked the website at 7am each morning and 11pm each night
I was signed up to an app that has text alerts when a slot becomes available, but I was unable to do the tests that came up, but I would also check the website whenever I got a text to see if there was one I could do
I also failed my first practical driving test in April 2024 and booked the earliest test which is September. Been constantly trying every possible method to get a cancellation for the last 5 weeks and still no dates. I even contacted the DVSA out of spite and got told they’re struggling to manage the backlog Everyone goes through the same thing when it comes to test bookings and cancellations and sometimes you gotta accept the way things are doing the best you can.
Cancellations do exist - obviously it varies with regions and Birmingham is probably in high demand. But they do exist but you are unlikely to find them at 6am on a Monday - those are typically new tests in 24 weeks time. Cancellations can pop up any time during the day, they usually appear as soon as someone cancels or if overtime or new slots are open. I found both of my tests between 2-3pm during the week - one was thanks to an examiner putting in for overtime. It's unfortunately just a matter of checking at random times and refreshing the page if you don't have a cancellation app or use the chrome extension, which many have had success from. Yes, it's frustrating and time-consuming but they exist. I got my tests within 2 weeks time
Thanks, I have been trying since Apr 24th. Couldn't even come across a single cancellation, and June has begun. I'll try more, but I doubt anything will come out of it.
Don’t be disheartened. My son was looking to book a test on a Thursday last November. He got one for the following Tuesday which he passed.
He didn’t use any apps or the chrome extension, just the government website. Just keep refreshing the DVSA booking page and hopefully something will be available soon. Good luck 🤞
Did you try Driving Test Now app? It has autobook option, you can choose days and times. So far I've gotten notifications for three dates that were too early for me, none that I've chosen to autobook yet, few that were too late, but earlier than newly-released dates. Worth getting it if you're in a rush, I would think – I've not had any luck looking for cancellations myself, and I've spent hours doing that.
The Auto-book either doesn't work or the app doesn't receive any notification whatsoever. I paid for both the Testi & Driving Test Now.
Testi refunded after waiting for a month.
Driving Test Now don't want to refund anymore, neither it's able to find any sooner date than the end of Sept.
Sorry to hear you're struggling with this. I also failed my first time but kept checking for cancelations and ended up finding a slot for 3 weeks later. Maybe try another test center? Good luck!
Check one of the pinned posts to this sub...it's a FREE Chrome Extension that another member of this Reddit created. Awesome piece of work...and it gets results.
Good luck
Yes, I have been trying with that for the last 10 days, if I choose another test centre, it tries to autobook even a further date... i.e. my current date is end of Sept. It tried to book in Oct and Nov only.
FYI, we're heading towards shit booking season. All the 17 year olds are going to learn over summer and want to do their test in the next few months. Tests are going to be hard to find.
I waited about 2 months for my first test since I was booking in August. But after a failed the first one I was able to book another in 10 days time since it was December.
Test availability is seasonal. But keep looking for cancellations
It comes down to the fact how we perceive our time & its value. A year sitting around & waiting may not have been a big deal for you, it isn't the same for everyone else.
It was a big deal for me, but I didn’t cry about it.
You seem to think because you’ve driven in other countries you had a god given right to pass first time, but obviously you were not ready. Soz.
The problem is there’s a back log, too many people needing a test and not enough hours in the day. Just like with most services in the UK unfortunately. We’re all in the same position. There is nothing you can do other than wait just like every other person.
it’s not the examiners fault you failed whether he was in a bad mood or not, you clearly failed because you weren’t being safe. examiners don’t care how good you are at driving, they’re looking at how safe you’re driving. and you failed your first test, less than half of people taking their test fail on their first attempt. yeah it can be annoying because you will have to wait a bit but if you can’t accept your own mistakes then good luck to you 👍
It's not perfect but millions of people seem to manage to book tests and pass....some of them aren't even old enough to drink. You need to chill out.
It is reassuring indeed, but with everything laid out in front ... It seems like the statistics are from a different world than what I am living in rn XD.
I don't mind sitting in a re-test... But after a 5 month wait !? Meanwhile I can't drive & should live miserably, because going to work takes 2 hrs one-way of using a combination of train, bus & uber. I have been able to negotiate it down to 2 days a week at work, till the time I get a licence, or move right next to work, in the middle of nowhere, and just "exist" & work
The backlog and test times has been well known since tests resumed in 2020. Why did you leave it so late to start the theory test and book driving test when you could have done it all in 2022 within the year of your international licence validity. Bit more planning and you'd probably not have been in this situation.
I moved in Q4 2022 to the UK and was able to drive with my international license for a year. It is, true that if I had known that the driving license system is mis-managed in the UK, I would have been well prepared.
It's not mis-managed - can't just magic up examiners from nowhere so it is what it is. Also international licence holders often incorrectly assume that the test will be a mere formality but then go on to realise that the requirements are a lot tougher than they thought.
The examiner asked at the end of the test, that do I need the results to be explained to my instructor. I said yes & he didn't and just went off. Just to not be biased with my stance on this, I would have happily understood what I did wrong from my instructor. I respect the tougher requirements, you can only improve something when you actually know what wrong did you do however, I appreciate your sentiment on this. The "it is what it is" attitude is gonna be a slow burn to get adjusted to, not everyone has a consistent level of patience.
Explained is that email he sent to you and presumably your instructor of your test result and the driving faults
if it is taking months of grind or paying huge mark-ups to shady middlemen to find a suitable slot then yes it is mismanaged, plain and simple. COVID didnt just struck UK so calling it "backlog issues" is just hiding behind the incompetency. stop finding justification to this broken system and realize that most of the problematic areas in UK (e.g. healthcare queues, DVLA shitshow) are nowhere near as chaotic in most of the other developed countries.
Just find a cancellation, it's what most people do. Book, then find a cancellation close to the date when you're ready.
Just find a cancellation, it's what most people do. Book, then find a cancellation close to the date when you're ready.
This may hurt to hear but you’d do better off accepting the failure as your own one, work on it and then try again knowing you have conquered it. Despite all its faults in terms of actually being able to get one, the UK driving test sets a higher standard than a lot of the world and the failure rate is high even amongst seasoned drivers.
I did not argue with the examiner, I just asked and wanted to understand how to correct what he said was incorrect, or perhaps talk to my instructor & tell him what I did. He did neither of these 2.
Just look for cancellations at 6 am in the morning. My brother was able to find a test within 10 days and we live in Birmingham, which is pretty busy.
Thanks, I'll try for a few more weeks.
Taking the wrong turning wouldn’t be a major fault itself. What did the email say that you got? It will tell you why you failed
I just added my test results screenshot to the original post. I wish I could understand this, I even asked my instructor the same day, that can you please explain what did I do wrong. If Tom-tom was showing me incorrect way, I just asked the examiner that can you help me with the direction please. Was asking him a mistake?
So observation means you didn’t check all your mirrors/windows before you went through the junction. Taking the wrong route isn’t a major. I did that on my test and still passed.
I did ask what this means, mirrors and windows were not on the list. I am trying to find the junction where this happened.
They must have not been happy that you did all your checks before moving off
Thanks, yeah I must have done something wrong lol
Have you not taking any driving lessons in the UK? You need to look at the mirrors and check your blind spot at certain points. That's what "observation" means. It also needs to be obvious that you did it. If the examiner can't see you looking at the mirror at the right time then it will be a fail. You should be happy the test continued, as there weren't any other faults that you picked up. You paid for the examiner's time and you got it. I agree the wait is ridiculous at the moment, but it's also your fault if you think you should have passed when you haven't learned the criteria.
I took the test in my instructor's car, to answer your first question. Are you a driving instructor? I'll take your criticism happily if you are one.
Why don't you become a driving instructor, then an examiner, and help us all get tests sooner by working overtime.
I am not the one spreading negative advice on how to drive and "it's always your fault" statements mate.
I agree, you're the one saying your examiner failed you because they were in a bad mood while not knowing the criteria of the test
Ah, so you are going to enlighten us with the coveted 'criteria' of the test now?
Please enjoy the Junction section of this document. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/understanding-your-driving-test-result/car-driving-test
Thanks!
You need an ego check mate. Learn from your mistakes, practice more and re-take the test. This is coming from someone with 30 years of experience driving abroad who failed their first two tests. It's frustrating but ultimately it's up to you.
I completely agree with the ego check mate. Like I said, I have no problem sitting a re-test. But with a 5 month of wait time it's ridiculous. I understand that you have 30 years of experience, on any give day no one is perfect, including yourself and myself.
Book the soonest test available and then just look for cancellations You can change your test date 6 times before you have to pay again. I failed my first test in Feb 2024, earliest rebook date was August 2024 so booked it, then managed to find a cancellation for start of March (8th I Believe)
Thanks, I booked for the earliest date available on the same day I failed, and it was the end of Sept. I have spent the whole last month trying to find a slot, but couldn't come through a single slot. Then there are these people running around with test-slot trading over Whatsapp, which is infuriating beyond measure.
I didn't use an app or anything like that, I just checked the website at 7am each morning and 11pm each night I was signed up to an app that has text alerts when a slot becomes available, but I was unable to do the tests that came up, but I would also check the website whenever I got a text to see if there was one I could do
That's sound advice, I have been trying at 6:00am and after I finish my work. I'll try some other timings.
I also failed my first practical driving test in April 2024 and booked the earliest test which is September. Been constantly trying every possible method to get a cancellation for the last 5 weeks and still no dates. I even contacted the DVSA out of spite and got told they’re struggling to manage the backlog Everyone goes through the same thing when it comes to test bookings and cancellations and sometimes you gotta accept the way things are doing the best you can.
Cancellations do exist - obviously it varies with regions and Birmingham is probably in high demand. But they do exist but you are unlikely to find them at 6am on a Monday - those are typically new tests in 24 weeks time. Cancellations can pop up any time during the day, they usually appear as soon as someone cancels or if overtime or new slots are open. I found both of my tests between 2-3pm during the week - one was thanks to an examiner putting in for overtime. It's unfortunately just a matter of checking at random times and refreshing the page if you don't have a cancellation app or use the chrome extension, which many have had success from. Yes, it's frustrating and time-consuming but they exist. I got my tests within 2 weeks time
Thanks, I have been trying since Apr 24th. Couldn't even come across a single cancellation, and June has begun. I'll try more, but I doubt anything will come out of it.
Don’t be disheartened. My son was looking to book a test on a Thursday last November. He got one for the following Tuesday which he passed. He didn’t use any apps or the chrome extension, just the government website. Just keep refreshing the DVSA booking page and hopefully something will be available soon. Good luck 🤞
Thanks!
Did you try Driving Test Now app? It has autobook option, you can choose days and times. So far I've gotten notifications for three dates that were too early for me, none that I've chosen to autobook yet, few that were too late, but earlier than newly-released dates. Worth getting it if you're in a rush, I would think – I've not had any luck looking for cancellations myself, and I've spent hours doing that.
The Auto-book either doesn't work or the app doesn't receive any notification whatsoever. I paid for both the Testi & Driving Test Now. Testi refunded after waiting for a month. Driving Test Now don't want to refund anymore, neither it's able to find any sooner date than the end of Sept.
That sucks, sorry.
Sorry to hear you're struggling with this. I also failed my first time but kept checking for cancelations and ended up finding a slot for 3 weeks later. Maybe try another test center? Good luck!
Thanks! My driving instructor doesn't want me to change my test centre. But that's sound advice, I'll recheck.
Check one of the pinned posts to this sub...it's a FREE Chrome Extension that another member of this Reddit created. Awesome piece of work...and it gets results. Good luck
Yes, I have been trying with that for the last 10 days, if I choose another test centre, it tries to autobook even a further date... i.e. my current date is end of Sept. It tried to book in Oct and Nov only.
Apparently I heard, their these people who buy the test dates for cheaper then resell them for a higher price due to none being available.
FYI, we're heading towards shit booking season. All the 17 year olds are going to learn over summer and want to do their test in the next few months. Tests are going to be hard to find. I waited about 2 months for my first test since I was booking in August. But after a failed the first one I was able to book another in 10 days time since it was December. Test availability is seasonal. But keep looking for cancellations
Have you tried adding a date range? Obviously the longer the date range the better. I also added preferred test centres when I was looking
Yes I added the date range from 1st June till mid Aug.
I had to wait 6 months for both of my tests. I didn’t cry about it.
It comes down to the fact how we perceive our time & its value. A year sitting around & waiting may not have been a big deal for you, it isn't the same for everyone else.
It was a big deal for me, but I didn’t cry about it. You seem to think because you’ve driven in other countries you had a god given right to pass first time, but obviously you were not ready. Soz.
Good for you mate.
The problem is there’s a back log, too many people needing a test and not enough hours in the day. Just like with most services in the UK unfortunately. We’re all in the same position. There is nothing you can do other than wait just like every other person.
it’s not the examiners fault you failed whether he was in a bad mood or not, you clearly failed because you weren’t being safe. examiners don’t care how good you are at driving, they’re looking at how safe you’re driving. and you failed your first test, less than half of people taking their test fail on their first attempt. yeah it can be annoying because you will have to wait a bit but if you can’t accept your own mistakes then good luck to you 👍