The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has reopened the driving test booking service, following unprecedented demand on Friday 21 August 2020.
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.
Stay up to date
This page will be updated if anything changes.
