Major trouble contacting DVSA/ pearson by phone

burma_shave

Talking of theory tests, has anyone else been trying to use the customer service phone lines for the DVSA? Every time I phone it says I am on hold waiting to speak to a representative, then the call cuts off.

I am trying to change my theory booking (I had to book months away and a remote scottish centre just to get an available slot) but when I try to log in to the online service using my licence details, the page blocks me saying it thinks I am a bot.  I have emailed pearson too and got an automated response.

I suspect they are a touch busy... but as ever it is frustrating not knowing what is going on. Any tips for getting through?

Thanks in advance.. :-)

burma_shave

Still can't get anyone to answer phone or emails, pretty poor for a public service.

Presume they are all hiding under the desk with the curtains closed..

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Are they still taking strike action?

They are making a fuss over what they regard as unsafe working conditions. (I would too tbf)

burma_shave

I don't think the DVSA are on strike, perhaps the DVLA are. 
I contacted them via Twitter, they said their social media people couldnt help, and told me to email or call.
I have already emailed twice and called repeatedly, and I mean repeatedly. Same issue every time, no matter what time of day -  it says please hold for a while and then cuts off at the same time each call.
I have never known such a shambles.  Special prize for anyone who can help :-)

sheramber

Call as soon as they open at 8 am. Start dialling just before 8 to get in the front  of the queue.
I have found that to be successful with other organisations.

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burma_shave said:

I don't think the DVSA are on strike, perhaps the DVLA are.

Sorry, it is just the DVLA on strike in Swansea, DVSA HQ is Bristol, I thought they were in the same building.

It must be because they are spectacularly busy at the moment.

Are you trying to access the page via a VPN? Quite often these fail bot checks, and have to be turned off.

I sometimes have to run through my available browsers, firefox, edge, chrome, opera on awkward sites before one of them works too.

burma_shave

Well, I called at 07.59 and immediately got through to a nice chap called Matt.  
The bad news is that the page block is an issue they are having with a small number of candidates, and they (Pearson) are arguing with DVSA about where the problem is - with no immediate fix seeming likely. So I am stuck in the matrix.. :-/

The other bad news is that he said there is 'nothing in Scotland'. This is because we have to implement the 2m rule not 1m like in England, and it is killing the test centres' capacity.  Also the rural centres are all temporary anyway, so are currently closed, meaning everyone has to go to the mainland, using more capacity. (What we need is a devolved government..wait, what?)

But the GOOD NEWS is that whilst he was looking, a rare and serendipitous cancellation popped up in Edinburgh...for next week! So we nabbed it. He was as surprised as I was. Happy days!

Sheramber, you win the 'special prize'