Some driving tests might be affected by strike action at times during December 2022 and January 2023.
Some driving examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union are planning to take strike action at times during December 2022 and January 2023.
The strike action is part of national industrial action by the PCS union over pay, pensions, jobs and redundancy terms.
If you want to change your driving test date now
Not all examiners are PCS union members, and even if they are, they might choose not to go on strike.
However, you can change your test to another date if you want to.
You must give at least 3 clear working days’ notice to change your test date, or you’ll have to pay again.
What to do if you do not change your test
You should go to your driving test appointment as planned if it’s on the date of strike action, unless DVSA contacts you to tell you not to go.
DVSA will call you to tell you what to do if you’re taking an instructor test including:
- ADI part 2 (driving ability) tests
- ADI part 3 (instructional ability) tests
- ADI standards checks
*****You will lose your fee for the test if you do not go for your appointment, and you’ll have to rebook your test yourself*****
If your driving test cannot go ahead
DVSA will automatically rebook your driving test for you if it cannot go ahead because of the strike action.
You’ll be sent the new details within 5 to 10 working days. You do not need to contact DVSA.
You’ll also be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses.
If your trainer booked your motorcycle or vocational driving test, DVSA will refund your trainer instead. Your trainer will need to book a new appointment for you.
How to claim out-of-pocket expenses
You can claim out-of-pocket expenses if your test is cancelled. You must have turned up for your test to be able to do this.
The application form and guidance tell you what you can claim for.
Claim out-of-pocket expenses for a cancelled driving test.
DVSA is sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
When the strikes will be held
The strikes will affect driving test centres in different parts of Great Britain at different times.
| Dates | Areas affected |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 13 December to Sunday 18 December | North-east England and Scotland |
| Monday 19 December to Saturday 24 December | North-west England and Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Wednesday 28 December to Saturday 31 December, and Tuesday 3 January | East of England, East Midlands and West Midlands |
| Wednesday 4 January to Tuesday 10 January | London, south-east England, south-west England and Wales |
The strike action might affect:
- car driving tests
- motorcycle tests
- lorry, bus, coach and minibus driving tests (these are known as vocational tests)
- tractor or specialist vehicle driving test
- approved driving instructor (ADI) part 2 (driving ability) or part 3 (instructional ability) tests
Driving tests with private test providers
Your test will not be affected by the strike action if you’re taking it with a private test provider. This includes some:
- Driver CPC part 3a (off-road exercise) tests
- Driver CPC part 4 (practical demonstration) tests
Theory tests
Theory tests are not affected by the strike action and will be taking place as planned.
