Driving test date could be after theory test expiration.

gbu_2

My son had his driving test cancelled twice, one just before the lockdown, then the rearranged date fell under the lockdown.

There is talk of maybe not until September when tests may go ahead again, so possibly 6 months could pass in which to take the test.

However his Theory test runs out on then, (this has to be in date in order to take your practical test) does anyone know if the theory test validation period is to be extended like say the MOT or if he has to retake the theory test again?

Tigsteroonie

There's a note on the DVLA pages to say that they are not extending theory test certificates, so he'd have to re-take the theory test. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests 

gt94sss2

It looks like he will have to retake the theory test
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests#if-your-driving-test-was-cancelled

(Unless they change the law)

mobilejo

gt94sss2 said:

It looks like he will have to retake the theory test
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests#if-your-driving-test-was-cancelled

(Unless they change the law)

Agreed. Which does seem rather unfair. Hopefully they will change the law.

Mrsn

That does seem harsh... have they definitely said September for the tests? 

gt94sss2

mobilejo said:

gt94sss2 said:

It looks like he will have to retake the theory test
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests#if-your-driving-test-was-cancelled

(Unless they change the law)

Agreed. Which does seem rather unfair. Hopefully they will change the law.

@gbu_2
 This is one of those cases, where it might be worth dropping your MP a message asking if they can ask the government to review this (no fault of your son etc) and that have already done something similar for MOTs

Otherwise, it’s unlikely to be on their list of issues.

mobilejo

gt94sss2 said:

mobilejo said:

gt94sss2 said:

It looks like he will have to retake the theory test
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests#if-your-driving-test-was-cancelled

(Unless they change the law)

Agreed. Which does seem rather unfair. Hopefully they will change the law.

This is one of those cases, where it might be worth dropping your MP a message asking if they can ask the government to review this (no fault of your son etc) and that have already done something similar for MOTs

Otherwise, it’s unlikely to be on their list of issues.

You've quoted me but I think you meant that to the OP, gbu_2. However I agree with you - for any change to be considered, people need to raise this up the ladder; the 1st step in that being their local MP.

neilmcl

mobilejo said:

gt94sss2 said:

It looks like he will have to retake the theory test
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests#if-your-driving-test-was-cancelled

(Unless they change the law)

Agreed. Which does seem rather unfair. Hopefully they will change the law.

There's a good reason why the there's a fixed window between passing a theory test and passing your driving test, the fact that we've been dealing with this virus doesn't change that. On could argue that you son has had plenty of time to learn and pass his test long before the lockdown started.

gt94sss2

neilmcl said:

mobilejo said:

gt94sss2 said:

It looks like he will have to retake the theory test
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests#if-your-driving-test-was-cancelled

(Unless they change the law)

Agreed. Which does seem rather unfair. Hopefully they will change the law.

There's a good reason why the there's a fixed window between passing a theory test and passing your driving test, the fact that we've been dealing with this virus doesn't change that. On could argue that you son has had plenty of time to learn and pass his test long before the lockdown started.

I suspect the issue is as much to do with the extra expense of booking another theory test rather than the fact that’s it’s expired due to the lockdown

gbu_2

neilmcl said:

mobilejo said:

There's a good reason why the there's a fixed window between passing a theory test and passing your driving test, the fact that we've been dealing with this virus doesn't change that. On could argue that you son has had plenty of time to learn and pass his test long before the lockdown started.

There are reasons as to why he hadn't taken it before now but that's nothing i want to go into now!

Whether or not he had time to take the test before the lockdown is irrelevant, everybody is given 24 months in which to take the test but now 6 months has been taken away by no fault of his own.

As @gt94sss2 said it now means he has to pay again for a test in which he's already passed and the time it will take to rebook this as well.

@mobilejo thats good idea thank you i shall see if this helps any.

diggingdude

neilmcl said:

mobilejo said:

gt94sss2 said:

It looks like he will have to retake the theory test
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-driving-tests-and-theory-tests#if-your-driving-test-was-cancelled

(Unless they change the law)

Agreed. Which does seem rather unfair. Hopefully they will change the law.

There's a good reason why the there's a fixed window between passing a theory test and passing your driving test, the fact that we've been dealing with this virus doesn't change that. On could argue that you son has had plenty of time to learn and pass his test long before the lockdown started.

There is normally good reason, but i know people who have waited months for test dates. Not to be unexpected once they open up again that they will be solid booked for a while. Seems unfair, maybe they should get a free retest at least