26/04/2020
๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ง๐ฒ๐๐๐
The DVSA's approach to driving tests has become somewhat confused. So when dealing with DVSA, you might feel less stress if you expect administrative difficulties such as delays, lost applications and an inability to contact the department. Hereโs what we know so far (links are given as footnotes):
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ง๐ฒ๐๐๐ (1)
Theory tests are suspended until 9 May. If you had a theory test booked for a date prior to 9 May it should have been cancelled and a refund given and youโll have to apply again. There are now two ways to apply for a theory test:
๐ญ. ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ (2) if youโre not a critical worker: DVSA says the system is accepting applications from 9 May. My advice is to apply ASAP and work towards passing the test. However, you should expect that your new test will be cancelled as it seems likely that lock-down will extend beyond 9 May. If that happens, apply again, repeat, etc. This approach will help you minimise the very lengthy queues that will certainly exist when work resumes as normal โ especially as the DVSA say that priority bookings will be given to those whose test was cancelled.
๐ฎ. ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ (3) if you are a critical worker: To apply for an emergency theory test you will need to have:
โข on the day before you take your test, lived in GB for 185 of the last 365 days.
โข your UK driving licence number
โข evidence from your employer that you are a critical worker and employed by them. Acceptable evidence is your ID badge or a letter (on headed paper or sent to your work email address) confirming youโre employment status.
If your employer is paying for the theory test (you might be told your employer โmustโ pay) you will also need to provide your employers company address, company registration number and email address. You can find the registered address and number at companies house (4). However, if your employer is a small business thatโs not registered with Companies House (i.e. theyโre not a Limited Company) they wonโt have a company registration number. In this circumstance, it is unclear if you can get a test.
๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ง๐ฒ๐๐๐ (5)
Practical driving tests are suspended until 20 June and only critical worker can apply for a test. Tests booked prior to 20 June will have been postponed, with or without a new date given, or cancelled. If your test was cancelled with less than 3 working dayโs notice you can apply for out of pocket expenses (6). Check spam folders regularly for DVSA emails.
If your test was postponed and you donโt have a new date, youโll have to wait until you are a sent a date. If you are a critical worker and your driving test was postponed, itโs unclear what you need to do get your test, if you can apply for an emergency test or if you can apply to change your test date.
Emergency driving tests are still available for critical workers. If you already made an application by sending an email as per the previous advice and you havenโt yet had a date (or a response), you will need to apply again using the new online service (7). Critical workers are defined as those whose children are allowed to go to school (8). However, there is confusion with some information from DVSA suggesting that NHS and social care workers will be given priority with everyone else going on a waiting list.
The evidence required to apply for a practical test is the same as for theory tests.
๐๐ฉ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐
๐๐๐๐ค๐ง๐ฎ ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐จ: Email - [email protected] is the advertised contact. However, after youโve applied to for a test, check your email responses for more recent contact info.
๐ฟ๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐จ: Email - [email protected] or via Facebook or Twitter
๐๐ถ๐ป๐ธ๐:
(1) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-theory-tests
(2) https://wsr.theorytest.dvsa.gov.uk/testtaker/signin/SignInPage.htm?clientCode=DSA
(3) https://www.gov.uk/apply-emergency-theory-test
(4) https://bit.ly/2xc8wGY
(5) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests
(6) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-refunding-out-of-pocket-expenses
(7) https://www.gov.uk/apply-emergency-driving-test
If youโre a key worker, you can book your official DVSA practical driving test for cars from ยฃ62, or other types of practical driving tests, including motorcycle and driving instructor tests
