In many areas of the UK, there are driving test backlogs. This has caused a lot of frustration for learners who feel they’re ready to pass and start driving independently. With that, a new service has emerged: driving test cancellation finders.
Websites and apps have been popping up claiming to be able to help with this problem. These services will take a learner’s details and try to book them an earlier test than they’d usually be able to get, by looking for slots that have freed up due to a cancellation.
However, The DVSA are advising learners not to use these services.
Why not use driving test cancellation finders?
When you use one of these services, you hand over the booking of your test to someone else. That means you could miss important messages from the DVSA (like a test date changing) because it didn’t come to you.
Another reason is that you won’t know exactly when your test is going to be – and that could leave you underprepared. More than half of people fail their test, so learners giving it a go before they’re actually ready is clearly a bit of a problem.
In all it’s recommended that you complete 67 hours of driving before doing a test – with at least 45 of those being with an instructor. On average, that’s what it takes to pass.
Failing is a downer in its own right, but it also means needing to wait for another test – and pay for it. You may also need to pay for more lessons in the meantime to stay sharp. So overall, testing too early can end up making the whole process more drawn out and expensive.
Finally, it’s worth remembering that these services are only doing something you yourself can do for free. Using the Government’s official site you can search for cancellation appointments yourself. Finder services generally charge £10 to £20 to do the same thing.
Is your data safe?
In order to book a test on your behalf any service you use would need a good chunk of your personal data, including your driving licence number. This isn’t the sort of info you would want to fall into the wrong hands, as it comes with a risk of identity theft.
When the DVSA reviewed a number of cancellation finder services it found that none of them complied with data protection laws when it came to posting a proper privacy notice. Generally, the guidance would be to avoid giving your data to any organisation that is not using a proper privacy notice. If they’re not being transparent about how your data is stored and used that’s definitely a red flag.
