Driving test website crashes as learners try to book exams for first time since lockdown

Learner drivers eager to book their tests for the first time since lockdown faced chaos as the booking website crashed repeatedly.

Wannabe motorists shared their frustrations after spending hours in a queue on the site, only to be logged out.

Some received a message saying: “Oops! You went away and came back again.” while others were left queueing, comparing the waiting time to that of trying to book tickets to music festivals.

The chaos on the first day learners in England were able to book their driving test, with tests available to book from 8am on Friday.

Tests were suspended in March due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Many vented their frustration on social media, with one person writing: “Tried to book a driving test but DVSA can’t even get their website working properly even with anticipated demand and a known launch date.

“Very disappointed in the organisation over last 6 months, it’s time for change. What do I do?”

Another Twitter user wrote: “Feel like im tryna get tour tickets but im tryna book my driving test.”

Another shared a picture of an error page that they said repeatedly appeared.

Driving tests, which were suspended across the UK in March, restarted in England in July with a huge backlog after hundreds of thousands of tests were delayed or cancelled due to the coronavirus lockdown.

According to the DVSA, 210,000 tests were cancelled due to the pandemic.

A series of safety measures have been put in place to protect learners and examiners from COVID-19, such as mandatory face coverings unless there is a valid reason not to wear one.

Yahoo News UK has contacted the DVSA for comment.

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