Some driving examiners are striking for four days, planning a walkout from Thursday, February 8 to Sunday February 11.

While this won’t affect theory tests, learners who have a practical driving test scheduled on a strike day are being told by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to attend anyway – unless you are told directly not to.

This is because only driving examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are planning to strike, and some members may choose not to take the industrial action.

If your driving test is cancelled, it will be rearranged by the DVSA free of charge so you don’t need to take any further action. Your new test date will be provided within five to 10 working days.

“Some driving examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are planning to take strike action from Thursday 8 February to Sunday 11 February 2024. The strike action by the PCS union is about action the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is taking to reduce driving test waiting times for you.”

• Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency spokesperson.

No thanks

However, if you don’t want to wait to find out if your test date will be changed, you can always rebook your test. Head here to change your date but do bear in mind you must give at least three working day’s notice.

For example, change the date the day before your test and you will end up having to pay for an all-new test – on top of the fee already charged for the cancelled test.

Why strike?

Members of the PCS union who work in 270 test centres are unhappy with the DVSA’s programme to cut waiting times. They believe it poses significant safety risks to both examiners and their candidates.

PCS general secretary told iNews that, “our members want to support a reduction in the driving test waiting times, whilst maintaining high standards and the integrity of the services they deliver, but are not prepared to do so at detrimental cost to their health and safety nor their terms and conditions.”

If you have any questions about the strike – and what you should do about your test –  talk to your driving instructor before deciding to what to do next.

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Main image by Freepik​​​​​.