Basingstoke mum frustrated by lack of driving test slots. Daughter books test in Portsmouth after months of searching.
Her daughter wakes up early to check for cancellations. She cannot find any openings. Nicola says it is a struggle. She wonders how this situation is allowed and feels frustrated by the difficulty.
Her daughter is eighteen. She now books a test in Portsmouth. That location is far from their usual roads and where she learned to drive in Basingstoke. Nicola states her daughter feels comfortable there.
Going elsewhere adds more pressure. Some people drive to Scotland for tests, but Nicola’s daughter will not do that. She asked the instructor for help booking, as instructors sometimes access tests for students, but unfortunately, this option has not worked for them.
Nicola feels stuck and unsure what to do. She doesn’t usually contact the press, but she feels desperate for a solution. The DVSA launched a plan to cut waiting times. The plan has seven parts.
They are hiring 450 new examiners. They plan to change booking rules and will stop bulk booking and reselling. The agency did not say how many slots are available in Basingstoke.
The DVSA warns against third-party sites. They urge learners to book via GOV.UK. Despite this, Nicola’s frustration remains high about the tests.
She finds the situation very stressful. If her daughter fails, when can she rebook? University without a license could end the lessons, and then, all that money is wasted. She strongly believes it is unfair.