As many of you may know from the press, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has struggled to reduce practical driving test waiting times across many regions of the UK, including East London, since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many learner drivers have been searching for weeks without success. This is due to several factors:

Loss of Examiners

Over the past 18 months, the DVSA has faced significant challenges in retaining examiners. While recruitment campaigns have been ongoing, they are losing more examiners than they are hiring. According to a Freedom of Information request, there were 1,738 practical driving test examiners on January 1, 2023, but by June 30, 2023, this number had dropped to 1,691—a loss of 47 examiners. By January 1, 2024, the number had further decreased to 1,650, meaning a total loss of 88 examiners over the year.

Higher Demand

The demand for driving tests has surged due to the backlog caused by COVID-19 and other factors. Despite the DVSA’s efforts, they only managed to reduce waiting times by 0.3% from 2023 to 2024, leaving many learners frustrated.

Apps and Bots

The scarcity of practical driving tests has given rise to a new industry where apps and bots automatically search for available slots. These tools are far quicker than manual searches, allowing users to secure test dates before others can. Unfortunately, these services often charge exorbitant fees, with some individuals paying over £250, in addition to the standard £62 test fee. Worse, some unscrupulous services offer test slots that do not even exist.

We strongly advise against using these services, as they fuel this unethical market. Instead, you can book your test directly through the DVSA at Book your driving test – GOV.UK. Alternatively, you can let us handle the process as part of one of our intensive driving courses.

How We Can Help

At A Pass 4 U, we are committed to helping learners in East London secure practical driving tests as quickly as possible. While we face the same challenges mentioned above, our dedicated team works tirelessly to find test dates and ensure our customers receive quality service.

Although we cannot guarantee specific dates, we strive to meet our clients’ preferences. To ensure transparency and customer satisfaction, we follow a simple process and do not request any payment until your driving course is confirmed.

Our Process

  1. Initial Contact
    We explain the process and confirm the learner driver’s requirements, such as passing the theory test. All necessary details are collected.
  2. Searching for a Test
    Our team spends hours, sometimes days, searching for a practical driving test in East London. We also ensure a fully qualified driving instructor is available for the training leading up to the test.
  3. Confirmation and Payment
    Once we secure a test date and confirm instructor availability, we contact the learner to finalize the details. A 25% deposit is required to secure the course unless the start date is within two weeks, in which case full payment is requested. Payment is securely processed online or over the phone, with a receipt provided.
  4. Course Confirmation
    Written confirmation of the booking is sent to avoid confusion. The assigned driving instructor will contact the learner within 48 hours to confirm details and schedule training times.

Course Structure

Our intensive driving courses typically consist of 5 hours of training per day, with a short break in the middle. The final hour on the last day is reserved for the DVSA practical driving test.

For those based in East London, knowing the local roads can be an advantage. The DVSA test centres in the area include:

To improve your chances of securing a suitable test date, you may also consider other nearby test centres, such as Wanstead or Chingford.

For more information on our intensive driving courses in East London, visit:
https://www.apass4u.co.uk/intensive-driving-courses/london/east-london/

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