From Monday 14 June 2021 DVSA will be increasing the number of tests in England, Scotland and Wales each day to seven – this is the number carried out before the pandemic.
This change increases capacity across the national network by an average of 15,000 to 20,000 tests per month.
DVSA says it is doing this as driving examiners are used to carrying out additional COVID-19 safety measures, so can now carry out seven driving tests each day with little risk of over-running.
DVSA is also reintroducing the three working day short notice cancellation period for practical car tests for all tests taking place from Thursday 17 June 2021. If your pupil cancels their test within the three working day period or fails to turn up to their test they will lose their test fee.
If you or your pupil need to cancel a test within the three working day period as a result of a positive COVID-19 test result or having to self-isolate you need to email customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk with COVID SHORT NOTICE CANCELLATION in the subject of the email and DVSA will look to reschedule the test for the earliest possible appointment.
You or your pupil may be asked to provide evidence when cancelling at short notice.
Your pupils will not be able to take their driving test if they meet any of the following criteria:
- They have any coronavirus symptoms (high temperature, fever, new continuous cough, a change or loss of smell or taste from normal)
- They have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace in the last 14 days
- They are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test or have had a positive test in the last seven days
- They have visited a school, college or other building that has been closed due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the last seven days
- They live with someone who has either tested positive for COVID-19 or had symptoms of COVID–19 in the last 14 days
DVSA is exploring options to temporarily contract in experienced driving assessors to qualify as driving examiners and will run a further recruitment campaign in the weeks ahead. This is because there are some areas of the country where DVSA still needs to recruit more examiners, including the south east.
