Theory Test Extention

renegadefm

Hypothetical question for me, but will no doubt apply to thousands of learner drivers. 
What would have happened if someone who had passed their theory test roughly two years prior to lockdown,  but was so far unsuccessful in passing their practical test,  and had a test booked for just after lockdown was announced,  would they give the person some grace and extend the two years time limit on their theory test. Because normally you have to pass your practice test within or before the theory test ends in two years. 
It seems unfair if they wouldn't because the person could have potentially passed during the lockdown period but has missed out through no fault of their own. 

waamo

Why not just read the official website? https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests

renegadefm

waamo said:

Why not just read the official website? https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests

I know the practical driving tests are extended. But I was really refering to the situation if the two years had expired of the theory test before the person had taken their practical test just after the lockdown had started for example. 

waamo

renegadefm said:

waamo said:

Why not just read the official website? https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests

I know the practical driving tests are extended. But I was really refering to the situation if the two years had expired of the theory test before the person had taken their practical test just after the lockdown had started for example. 

It answers that. What bit of 

If your theory test certificate expires soon

Legally, your theory test certificate cannot be extended in any circumstances.

You’ll need to book and pay to take another theory test.

You need to pass this before you can book your driving test.

are you not understanding?

renegadefm

waamo said:

renegadefm said:

waamo said:

Why not just read the official website? https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests

I know the practical driving tests are extended. But I was really refering to the situation if the two years had expired of the theory test before the person had taken their practical test just after the lockdown had started for example. 

It answers that. What bit of 

If your theory test certificate expires soon

Legally, your theory test certificate cannot be extended in any circumstances.

You’ll need to book and pay to take another theory test.

You need to pass this before you can book your driving test.

are you not understanding?

But I am trying to say its a bit unfair dont you think if someone already passed their theory test, lets say almost 2 years previous to lockdown and the 2 years runs out lets say 2 weeks into lockdown,  so their last chance at passing their practical test was already booked for example a week after lockdown. But obviously the practicle test got cancelled through no fault of the person,  would they extend the theory from running out. Thats what I meant. Its seems really unfair otherwise because he or she might have passed.
I'll give you another example my partner actually passed her practicle just a fortnight before lockdown so how lucky was she because her theory was passed 2 years previous and about to run out, so by the skin of her teeth she passed. So it can happen. 

Dr_Crypto

Not unfair at all, no. 
Nobody knew the lockdown was going to happen. For whatever reason the law says that the practical tests must be passed within 2 years. The government has chosen not to extend this period. 

Kattekwaad

Why anyone would faff around for two years is beyond me.  

renegadefm

Kattekwaad said:

Why anyone would faff around for two years is beyond me.  

Well my partner took almost the full 2 years because she had lots of set backs within that particular 2 years. First not long after passing her theory test her fathers health deteriorated and eventually passed away, then a year after that her mum got cancer and died, so those sad occasions set her back. 
But luck would have it she passed with about only 2 weeks left before her theory ran out. 
Hence why I thought to create this thread because it so easily could have happened to her. 
My problem with the situation is if someone already booked what could have been their last chance to pass their practical test before lockdown occured. But it was cancelled through no fault of their own, whats the point of extending the practicle test by 3 months or if lockdown ended if their theory test ran out. 
It seems unfair someone has to re-take a theory test at all if they already passed it. Its not like they test everyone every 2 years is it? So it seems to be a money making thing.
It cost us a fortune to get her over the line as it was. What with lessons costing £28 a pop it was an extremely expensive 2 years, and difficult to afford lessons at times setting her back even further. 
It just seems unfair to make a person basically start from scratch when the practice test was cancelled not by them. 

Car_54

The two year limit (which is much too long, in my view) is there in the hope that, when the new driver passes his practical test, he may still remember what he learned of the Highway Code.

Jackmydad

Two years is plenty of time. And a retest is apparently 23 quid. As they have to supply a test and somewhere to sit it, I doubt if it's much of a money maker.
And it's not a difficult test to pass.
It's to make sure you're current with the rules of the road.

Perhaps we all need to sit one every two years anyway!

renegadefm

Well it took her 2 times to pass her theory test. But as I explained it took almost the full 2 years due to emotional set backs, which affected her confidence. She almost gave up, but I kept encouraging her. Plus there were dry periods due to not being able to pay for lessons or indeed the test. It took her 5 times to pass the practical test. 
But please explain this,  why is there a 2 year limit on the theory test at all? It shouldn't run out in my view because its not like we have regular theory tests is it?  I been driving now since 1986, and there was no theory test at all then,  but people then were more curtious and mannerly on the roads compared to now. These days the roads seem full of arrogant drivers who tailgate you to intimidate you and all sorts. I never witnessed that at all 20, 30 years ago. So you could argue what good has the introduction of the theory test done?
Surely its better to let the examiner ask you highway code questions on the day of the practical test so they can see you got it fresh in your mind, compared to as you say 2 years you may have forgot some important things. But this contradicts itself doesnt it?  Because the only way that would be affective if all drivers were made to have yearly theory tests or something, but we dont.
My highway code is probably rusty as anything. I would fail for sure, yet I been driving 34 years.