Anyone else think the DVSA driving test booking system is really outdated?
I just cancelled my test because I had to book one miles away since it was the only option for months. My plan was to use Testi to move it closer later, but now DVSA are changing the rules so you can only switch between your 3 closest test centres.
I get it’s probably to crack down on resellers, but all these third party apps only exist because the DVSA system is so bad in the first place.
After hearing about the new rule, I went back on the DVSA site to cancel. To be fair the cancellation and refund part was easy. But when I tried to book something closer, there’s nothing available all the way up to Feb 2028.
And the website just makes it worse. Why is there no proper calendar showing available dates? Every time I want to check a different month I have to go back, re-enter the date, test centre, postcode… everything. Waiting for each page to load. Then slowly click through and repeat this whole process just to be told there’s nothing there. In my case all the way up to 2028.
The system is ancient...
Wouldn’t it be way more efficient to just show all available dates in one calendar, grey out the unavailable ones, and send proper cancellation alerts?
Apps like Testi exist because people want something faster and actually usable. But instead of improving their own system or making something similar, DVSA are just tightening restrictions on learners.
Anything would be better than refreshing this clunky site over and over.
What’s everyone’s take on this? Curious to hear your experiences so feel free to share.