Last updated on 25/07/2020 at 10 am.
The DVSA has announced on the 20th of March that all driving tests, including car, motorcycle, coach, bus, lorry and ADI tests and checks were to be cancelled, as well as theory tests due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Theory tests have been postponed until the 4th of July (previously until the 8th of April and 31st of May).
Driving tests initially had a timeframe of up to 3 months, which meant that tests would have restarted from the 20th of June but the DVSA has announced on the 15th of June that all rescheduled driving tests are cancelled (unless you have an emergency test as a critical worker). Which now means you will not be taking your test on the date the DVSA has given you via email, from the 22nd of July the DVSA will email you with a link to choose your new test date, they are doing this in batches so it may take a few weeks to receive yours. Other driving tests, such as motorcycle or lorry will be cancelled and refunded and you will need to book a new test when the service resumes.
Please note that you cannot book a driving test if you haven’t booked one before the suspension in March. When tests restart, those who had tests cancelled/rescheduled will be given priority over those who have not had a booking.
What if your theory expires soon?
Unfortunately, the DVSA cannot legally extend test certificates, which means you will have to retake your theory test as normal when they also restart, by booking it again and paying for it before you can take your driving test.
Emergency tests (theory & driving) for critical workers
The DVSA has introduced emergency tests for critical workers during this suspension period, these include the following workers in:
- Transport
- Key public services
- Health and social care
- Education and childcare
- Food and other necessary goods
- Public safety and national security
- Utilities, financial services and communication
- The local and national government
Previously you had to email for an emergency test, but the DVSA has created an online application:
For theory tests, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/apply-emergency-theory-test
For driving tests, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/apply-emergency-driving-test
All information about this subject can be found on the official Gov website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests
What does this mean for SpeedyTests?
We, like all the other test cancellation checkers, rely on the DVSA system being up and running as we search the DVSA calendar for slots that match the criteria you give us. We are in no way affiliated with the DVSA, we are an independent service that uses computer systems to frequently search their website and we rely on our customers' plan purchases and us finding driving test cancellations to be able to keep upgrading our systems and pay salaries. For our current users, we are unable to find tests due to the DVSA website not being functional. Once the DVSA resumes all of their services, we will then unpause accounts and start searching again.
Our service is a one-off payment for unlimited use, no matter how long it takes to get you the right cancellation or how many times you fail, you can use your account indefinitely until you pass! We understand that now all timeframes are out of the window as we had customers that wanted to pass months ago and we have worked hard to find you driving test cancellations, which were cancelled by the DVSA.
As soon as the DVSA gives any sort of timeframe for when things are likely to get back to normal so that we can help you find cancellations again, we will return with our service.
Please note, this unfortunate situation does not change the terms of our service, if we have found you a test (no booking required), then no refunds can be processed, we cannot be held responsible for DVSA’s decision to suspend all tests with only them being able to reschedule. Remember that you do have unlimited use of your account, so when things return back to normal, we can resume the searches for our customers. If we have not yet found you a driving test and all our terms and conditions have been adhered to and you would like a refund for the time being and return when the situation subsides, then please contact us from your SpeedyTests email with your refund request ([email protected]).
No one could have predicted at the beginning of 2020 that this virus would impact so many lives and businesses. We wish you all good health and here's to hoping we can all return to our normalities as soon as possible. Please take care of yourselves and hopefully we will see you all shortly where we can hopefully help as many of you as possible by finding you earlier driving tests.
The SpeedyTests team.