Sooner (practical tests)
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730,000 tests were cancelled due to Covid. The ongoing backlog must be fitted among usual demand, so delays nationally remain long (the government target is 6-8 weeks). It's the same as the NHS catching up with delayed operations: you can't just 'create' more surgeons and hospitals.
So, my professional advice is: |
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1. Slots typically become available with only 2-3 days' notice (so be prepared)
2. Most likely slots are at unpopular times (7am-8am; tests rarely start after 3.25pm)
3. Don't take a test till you, and I, are >90% sure you'll pass (retesting slows everyone down)
4. Practice as much as possible (to consolidate what you've been taught: even buy a car?)
5. Ask me to use my "Online Business Booking Service" (to check groups of test centres at once …but only if I’m not busy!)
6. Be prepared to travel further to sit your test (we can discuss and usually drive there)
7. Pay professional staff to find you a test at a reasonable price (NOT any third-party app or website, which could cause your driver number to become blocked from making your own booking in future).
Before you DO take your test, know what examiners look for and how they'll behave / what they'll say, so nothing's a surprise. We will do mock tests too, so you sense what it feels like, and can prepare a strategy to handle worries on the day.
The DVSA has done all it can to reduce waiting times without law being changed, which isn’t a high priority at this time.
2. Most likely slots are at unpopular times (7am-8am; tests rarely start after 3.25pm)
3. Don't take a test till you, and I, are >90% sure you'll pass (retesting slows everyone down)
4. Practice as much as possible (to consolidate what you've been taught: even buy a car?)
5. Ask me to use my "Online Business Booking Service" (to check groups of test centres at once …but only if I’m not busy!)
6. Be prepared to travel further to sit your test (we can discuss and usually drive there)
7. Pay professional staff to find you a test at a reasonable price (NOT any third-party app or website, which could cause your driver number to become blocked from making your own booking in future).
Before you DO take your test, know what examiners look for and how they'll behave / what they'll say, so nothing's a surprise. We will do mock tests too, so you sense what it feels like, and can prepare a strategy to handle worries on the day.
The DVSA has done all it can to reduce waiting times without law being changed, which isn’t a high priority at this time.