3. Booking testing events
How to book, change and cancel testing events.
You can book DVSA examiners in testing events between 4 and 9 hours. You can only book the testing events in whole hours.
You can book a testing event during DVSA examiner working hours.
Working hours are:
- Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), 7am to 7pm
- Saturday, 7am to 5pm
You might be able to book testing events outside of working hours, but each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Providing breaks
You must allow the examiner a 30-minute scheduled break if you book a testing event of 5 hours or more.
This 30-minute break will not count towards the hours you booked.
The timing of the break can be agreed with your site manager and the examiner on the day of the test.
When you apply to open your test centre, you provide DVSA with an estimate of how many testing events you need each week. This is known as your ‘demand profile’.
You can change this if the demand at your centre changes.
Confirming your testing events
Once you know which vehicles will be tested, you need to check and confirm your bookings using the manage your vehicle testing service.
You need to do this at least 3 months in advance. You must finalise your booked testing events by the 15th of the month, 3 months before they’re due to take place.
DVSA will then confirm your bookings on the 15th of the following month, 2 months before they’re due to take place.
Example
If you want to change your testing events for April, you will need to do this by 15 January. DVSA will confirm your request by 15 February.
Booking a testing event outside of working hours
You might be able to book a testing event outside of working hours under some circumstances. You need to contact DVSA if you want to book a testing event outside of these hours. DVSA will let you know if they can provide an examiner for this test.
Request to book testing events at short notice
Contact DVSA to book a testing event at short notice. DVSA will let you know if they can provide an examiner for this test.
You can change or cancel your booked testing events online using the manage your vehicle testing service.
Deadlines
You will not be charged a booking fee if you change or cancel your booking up to 14 calendar days before a confirmed testing event.
If you change or cancel a confirmed booking at short notice, you will be charged:
- half the booking fee if you cancel between 8 and 14 calendar days before the testing event
- the full booking fee if you cancel 7 calendar days or less before the testing event
If DVSA has to cancel your booking
If DVSA has to cancel your booking, they will offer another testing event for the same amount of time within 7 working days.
If the examiner is late
If the DVSA examiner arrives 2 or more hours after the start of the testing event and the tests are delayed, you will not be charged for that testing event.
When booking DVSA examiners, you should:
- book only the time you reasonably need
- avoid under-using examiners during testing sessions
- avoid making frequent last-minute cancellations
If DVSA has concerns about how you’re using examiner time, they will discuss these concerns with you. In serious cases of unfair usage, DVSA can cancel your confirmed bookings.
Contact DVSA if you are not sure how much examiner time you need to book.