Due to the lockdown, there is now a long waiting list for both Practical and Theory Test. The DVSA have released the statement below:
DVSA Chief Executive Gareth Llewellyn said:
“It has been vital that lessons and tests only resume when safe to do so and in line with the government’s advice. I am pleased to announce the restart of lessons and theory tests in England from 4 July and car practical tests will restart from 22 July.
“Tests for critical workers have continued during the lockdown and I would like to thank all those instructors and examiners who have continued to work to help deliver tests for those who have done so much to help us during this terrible pandemic.”
DVSA has continued to test critical workers during the lockdown and driving lessons have continued for these workers.
The phased restart to testing:
4 July – driving and riding lessons and Compulsory Basic Training to restart (England only)
4 July – theory test restarts for all candidates – including Approved Driving Instructor part 1 tests (England only)
6 July – expanding critical worker driving tests to more applicants (Great Britain)
6 July – trainer booker service for practical driving tests reopens to motorcycle trainers and vocational instructors(Trainers will only be able to book tests at tests centres in England)
13 July – motorcycle and vocational tests start (England only
New candidates will be able to book driving tests once DVSA has carried out the tests reserved for critical workers and everyone with a suspended test has had the opportunity to choose a new time and date. DVSA will announce when the system opens to book tests in due course.
DVSA is contacting anyone who has a scheduled test to let them know what will happen next. DVSA will then email them at a later date to invite them to book a test at a time and location that is convenient for them. Learners should talk to their instructors and arrange refresher lessons so they can practice the skills they need to prepare for their test.
Safety measures will be put in place to protect learners and examiners from COVID-19 and information on how to implement these measures will be published in due course.
With all the above in mind, please be aware that to date there has been no confirmation of any extension to theory tests that are due to expire over the next few months. We strongly recommend that if your theory test is due to expire within the next few months, you book another date before the expiry, DVSA will allow you to do this. If it is not required then you can ask for a refund. This will cut down your waiting time which could delay your practical test. Anybody who has not yet booked a theory test we would strongly recommend that you book one as soon as possible to get a date in the diary.
With the practical test, as mentioned above, the priorities will go to Key Workers and any tests that were cancelled during the lockdown. This means that anybody who had not booked a practical test may have a long wait until dates are available.