How to book practical test before theory expires

SnowWhiterThanWhite

My friend took her practical test yesterday but unfortunately failed, been trying to rebook but keep getting an error msg. I assume this is because the next available test is May 2025 but her theory runs out Feb 2025? Seems unfair to have to retake theory (more costs) when chances are, a cancellation date for the practical will be available before Feb, any way around this?

MikeJXE

Your best chance is to keep looking for cancellation 

WellKnownSid

Download one of those apps that lets you know when a cancellation pops up.  

SnowWhiterThanWhite

She has the app and cancellation has popped up but when she tries to book, getting this error....

We have searched all dates in this test centre. There are no tests that meet your requirements. You can search again at a different test centre.

Problems finding a test?

Tests are only shown if they meet your requirements. If you are having difficulty finding a test, it may be due to one of the following:

• if you have entered your instructor’s reference number, we will only show you tests where they are available to attend
• any tests that are after the expiry date of your theory test will not be shown

Herzlos

Has she tried further afield? If she's waiting til May it may be worth finding somewhere even a couple of hours away.

MikeJXE

When you see a date that suits then try booking on a different device and perhaps a different browser 

The problem is there are so many companies and individuals looking for cancellations as soon as they appear they are gone.

Car_54

Re-sitting the theory would cost her £23: probably less that one of these cancellation-finding apps would charge.

And if £23 is a problem, maybe car-ownership is not for her  .

SnowWhiterThanWhite

Thanks all, found & booked a test (200 miles away), will keep trying to amend venue and date, at least she's back in the system now

Mildly_Miffed

SnowWhiterThanWhite said:

Problems finding a test?

Tests are only shown if they meet your requirements. If you are having difficulty finding a test, it may be due to one of the following:

* any tests that are after the expiry date of your theory test will not be shown

That would seem to answer the question...

So she passed her theory in Feb 2023, but only took the practical yesterday?

FarmerHorse

My son was in the same boat so he got a test through one of those sites that nab all the bookings and sell them on for a large profit. I paid it for him. Cheaper than continuing with occasional lessons and me keep giving my time to accompany him on practice drives while he was up at 6 every Monday morning trying and failing to get a booking. He got a test for 3 days later and sailed through. Pragmatism sometimes has to win over principles.