‘They have you over a barrel’: how scammers, touts and bots took over driving tests

www.theguardian.com/money/article/2024/jul/04/they...s

Try booking at 6:00 on a Monday morning, log on about 5:55.

I did that yesterday. There was nothing available in the area I want it

It was a similar scenario back in the 1990's to book a test with the then DSA - the delay in the area I worked in then was up to 16 weeks. As an ADI then I used to assess my pupils ability and advise them when they should book their tests according to their current ability, based on the waiting period for the test.

The driving examiner PSU union was involved in frequent strikes which used to mess up the availability of tests.- it seems that there is little change in this procedure.

Why can't successive governments fund the driving test centres properly?

It was a similar scenario back in the 1990's to book a test with the then DSA - the delay in the area I worked in then was up to 16 weeks

I was 17 in early June 1974. Had my first lesson a couple of days after my birthday. Driving instructor told me to apply for my test immediately since there was a 5 month wait. Got a form from the post office and sent it off and got a test date for early November, exactly 5 months (or about 21 weeks).

In truth not much has changed in 50 years.

Only difference is I did not need to employ someone to get me a form, fill it in and send it off on my behalf. 50 years ago we were all capable of doing things ourselves.