Driving Test Website Forced To Close Just A Day After Reopening For First Time Since March

The site crashed after there were more than 7m attempts to book a test in just 12 hours, the DVSA said.
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The UK’s driving test booking website has crashed following “unprecedented demand” after it opened for the first time since March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Learner drivers will now have to wait until at least Wednesday to try and book a test while the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) carries out “essential work” on the website.

The DVSA said the site had been visited 7m times in just 12 hours after it reopened on Friday morning.

Following problems with the driving test booking service, it is currently unavailable so we can carry out essential work to deal with the unprecedented test booking demand.

The service will reopen on Wednesday 26 August at 8am.

We are sorry for any inconvenience caused

— Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (@DVSAgovuk) August 22, 2020

In a tweet on Saturday afternoon, the agency said the service would be closed until 8am on Wednesday.

On social media, learner drivers described spending hours trying to book a test.

DVLA website: Oops! You went away and came back again... 😘

Me: I HAVEN’T LEFT SINCE HALF BLOODY 7!!! #DrivingTest pic.twitter.com/3NY1LWc1h4

— Kam (@HintofKam) August 21, 2020

Any hardcore 8am-ers about to go on to their 6th hour of trying to book a #drivingtest?

— Louise Daisy ♡ (@LouisePoyning) August 21, 2020

Checklist time:
- 502 gateway error
- 504 gateway error
- type of test
- license details
- access denied
- problem with the service
- oops you went away
If you have got all of these, congratulations - you are the OG of trying to book your #drivingtest

— Emma Whiteford (@EmmaWhiteford3) August 21, 2020

is it just me that finally managed to get the option to book my driving test but then instantly timed out and now can’t get it back? #drivingtests @DVSA_HelpMe

— Lucas Somner 🌹 (@lucassomner) August 21, 2020

Gareth Llewellyn, the chief executive of the DVSA said: “Coronavirus has severely impacted our business as usual operations, including by stopping driving tests in March.”

For the past five months, the DVSA has only been taking applications for emergency driving tests for critical workers, he said.

“Following unprecedented demand for the driving test booking system with almost 7 million attempts to book a test when it opened, we need to carry out urgent maintenance so people can book tests.

“We have to close the booking service until Wednesday 26 August and are sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

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