Thousands of learners face the additional costs of keeping their driving skills sharp until their tests can be rearranged following the adverse weather
Thousands of learner drivers face having to pay for extra lessons after the snow and freezing weather conditions forced the cancellation of driving tests across the UK, it emerged today.
The government’s Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has released figures showing that last week alone more than 31,000 of the 40,000 scheduled practical tests were unable to go ahead. All categories of vehicle were affected, from cars and bikes to LGVs.
The DSA does not pay compensation when tests are cancelled due to the weather, but rebooks them for a later date. So in addition to the disruption, affected learners could face the additional expense of further lessons in preparation for the rescheduled tests.
Internet talkboards have been inundated with posts from learner drivers worried about the inconvenience and the extra costs of further tuition.
Posting on the The Student Room messageboard, one learner driver called C274 said: “Mine was cancelled today, and I don’t know when I’ll get a re-test because the backlog’s pretty big. They haven’t done any tests since the week before Christmas at my test centre.”
Another called lozz2601 said: “I just got put straight to the end of the queue – 25th February. The ones on there now are late March though.” Cowsgoquack said: “Mine was due for today. Really bad luck I have to go back to University now and so can’t really even do the reallocated February or March time. Grrrr Easter it is, by which time I’ll have forgotten everything.”
If there is snow or ice on the day someone is due to take their test, the DSA advises them to contact their test centre or rebook the test online. It will reschedule at no further cost, but says no compensation is payable.
A DSA statement said: “The safety of test candidates and staff is our top priority so we cannot conduct tests when adverse weather causes difficult driving conditions. Any candidate whose test is cancelled will have another appointment booked automatically.
“Candidates due to take their practical test should follow the advice on their appointment letter and call their test centre if there is snow or ice in the local area on the day of their test.”
