Repeat Waiting Times

Dory353

Hi everyone. Had my driving test today, had been doing really well in lessons and thought I had a good chance of getting it. However due to a complete shambles I made of a box junction I was given a disqualifier and failed. I rebooked online but the waiting time at my test centre is 14-16 weeks. Does anyone know is this for all applicants or just first time applicants?? I fear that in that length of time I will be back to basics again starting out all over again, after finally having ironed out some problems. It says on the RSA website that if an urgent test is needed they can accommodate so but what's "urgent" in the eyes of the RSA?

Captain Havoc

Hard luck on failing your test. Yeah it's 14 weeks again. If you can get your employer to write a letter to the RSA and give them a ring in a couple of weeks it'll help your cause, that's what I did. I think there's a minimum period between tests but I'm not 100% on that one.

Dory353

Captain Havoc wrote: »

Hard luck on failing your test. Yeah it's 14 weeks again. If you can get your employer to write a letter to the RSA and give them a ring in a couple of weeks it'll help your cause, that's what I did. I think there's a minimum period between tests but I'm not 100% on that one.

Thanks for the reply. Do you need to be using your car as part of your job like or can any employer just contact them and say transport to work is an issue? Yeah there has to be minimum 3 weeks before tests.

**Timbuk2**

You can ring them, and tell them that you are willing to accept cancellations. That is, if somebody cancels, you will get their time slot - you could possibly get a test within two weeks like this. You might get less notice if you do it this way though, which can be tricky if you're trying to organise time off school/work/etc., but it sounds like what you are looking for.

Dory353

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

You can ring them, and tell them that you are willing to accept cancellations. That is, if somebody cancels, you will get their time slot - you could possibly get a test within two weeks like this. You might get less notice if you do it this way though, which can be tricky if you're trying to organise time off school/work/etc., but it sounds like what you are looking for.

Hi! Yeah I applied online and marked that I would be available for cancellations. I also selected this option first time round and I was waiting 8 weeks before I got a test so I can't see it speeding up things too much

**Timbuk2**

Dory353 wrote: »

Hi! Yeah I applied online and marked that I would be available for cancellations. I also selected this option first time round and I was waiting 8 weeks before I got a test so I can't see it speeding up things too much

Oh I see. I'm not sure exactly how it works as I applied for my test twice but never chose to do cancellations, it's just something I've heard.

But I have heard (unofficially and perhaps inaccurately) that ringing them is more effective than checking the form online.

Captain Havoc

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Oh I see. I'm not sure exactly how it works as I applied for my test twice but never chose to do cancellations, it's just something I've heard.

But I have heard (unofficially and perhaps inaccurately) that ringing them is more effective than checking the form online.

First two times, I asked for cancellations and ended up waiting 10 weeks or so, then the third time I got my boss to write a letter saying that I need the license to drive the company vehicle (which is totally true and I'm not making it up). It says on the rsa site what to put down as in your test number etc... I then rang them after a couple of weeks and she gave me a date which was about three weeks away or I could have held on for a cancellation but I thought having a definate date was the way forward. I was about 5 weeks between my second and third tests which I passed. This was back in November.

shamtastic

I think the recent bad weather in Leinster especially will add a week or two to the waiting lists as tests were not conducted if the roads were any way bad

Dory353

If I got a letter from my employer would it quicken up the waiting process much?

MascotDec85

Wait a couple of weeks and ring them. You might get lucky and be given a test date there and then. Some of my pupils have got new test dates quickly after cancellations etc by doing this. You've nothing to lose.

If you can't get a cancellation I'd advise against stopping all lessons. Try and practice as much as possible with a friend/family member if you can or at least keep you hand in by continuing lessons with your ADI as often as you can afford to

murrayp4

Ring them. I failed 1st time and ticked the box saying I'd be available for cancellations. After 3 weeks I rang them and got the test the next week- so a 4 week wait.
I got the impression that they don't actively fill the cancellations unless you ring them.

Ideo

Yeah much the same experience here. Failed first time back in nov, applied straight away but still hadn't heard anything as of the first week in the new year. Rang them up and have a Saturday date early nxt month! In fact the had a whole host of dates for me to choose from on the phone!!

Dory353

Hey guys! Just thought I'd let you know I got a date for mid February! Woop woop! Without any letter! Basically e-mailed them saying is it noted on my application that I am available for a cancellation (which I knew I had marked!) and they wrote back saying yes it was and gave me a time and date sooo happy!

**Timbuk2**

Dory353 wrote: »

Hey guys! Just thought I'd let you know I got a date for mid February! Woop woop! Without any letter! Basically e-mailed them saying is it noted on my application that I am available for a cancellation (which I knew I had marked!) and they wrote back saying yes it was and gave me a time and date sooo happy!

Nice result! Best of luck in this test now - I'm sure you won't need it though