What should a learner driver do if their theory or practical test has been cancelled because of the Covid-19?
Many learner drivers who had booked in to take their practical driving test over the coming months will have faced the disappointment of cancellation, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
In March, the DVSA announced practical driving tests would be suspended for up to three months – while theory tests are currently suspended until 20 April.
At present, there has been no further announcements about extending these suspensions, but all relevant information can be found on the DVSA website.
Click here for more info https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests
Advice for learner drivers
Car driving tests: You’ll get an email to tell you when your car driving test has been rebooked. It will tell you the new date and time of your test. You will not get this email immediately – it should arrive around two weeks before your original test date. It’s likely that your new test date will be around three months after your original date.
If you want to cancel your car driving test, you can cancel your test if you want to get a full refund now. Email the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to request this at customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk
You need to include your full name and two of the following pieces of information:
- your driving licence number
- your theory test pass certificate number
- your driving test booking reference
Theory tests: You’ll get an email to tell you that your test has been cancelled. You’ll automatically get a refund. You’ll get an email to confirm this has been done – this may take a few weeks to arrive.
Book an emergency test if you’re a critical worker
While practical and theory tests have been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, you can still get an emergency test if your work is critical to the COVID-19 response.
These jobs include:
- health and social care
- education and childcare
- key public services
- local and national government
- food and other necessary goods
- public safety and national security
- transport
- utilities, communication and financial services
However, the DVSA says this is not an exhaustive list and evidence will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
For more info, visit the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests
How to book an emergency test
The first step is to email DVSA to ask for an emergency theory or practical test:
Theory: critical.worker.theory.test@dvsa.gov.uk
Practical: critical.worker.driving.test@dvsa.gov.uk
You must send a photo or scanned image of valid ID such as your work ID badge.
If you do not have an ID badge you can send:
- an email from a work email address
- evidence from employer, such as email or scanned document including company letterhead
- a scan of a payslip
You also need to provide the DVSA with the following information, depending on the type of test you want to take.
Theory:
- telephone number and preferred contact time
- which test centre they want to take their test at (currently only Birmingham, London, Glasgow and Ballymena)
- the type of theory test they would like to take (car, car and trailer, motorcycle, lorry, bus or coach)
- their driving licence number
Practical:
- telephone number
- preferred test location
- the type of driving test they would like to take (car, car and trailer, motorcycle, lorry, bus or coach)
- driving licence number
- the driving test reference number (if they have one)
- theory test certificate number
If you meet the critical worker criteria, DVSA will contact you to explain what happens next.
