**DVSA and RAC Issue Urgent Warning to Learner Drivers**
Learner drivers in Wales have been issued an urgent warning by the DVSA and RAC to exercise caution when booking driving tests. Due to a long waiting list exacerbated by the pandemic, practical tests in Wales and England currently have a four-and-a-half-month wait. While the official price for a driving test is £62 through the government website, unofficial websites are taking advantage of the situation and reselling tests for £195.
The DVSA has taken action against misuse of its booking service, issuing 283 warnings, suspending 746 bookings, and shutting down 689 businesses since January 2023. The RAC has noted that test slots can still be purchased through third parties using encrypted WhatsApp chats. One learner, Lara Olszowska, shared her experience of falling victim to the driving test black market, buying a test for £169, ultimately leading to her account being blocked by DVSA for unknowingly having multiple tests booked under her name.
RAC’s head of policy, Simon Williams, condemned the use of bots to reserve tests faster than human capability. Williams stressed the importance of booking tests only through the official government website to avoid overpaying and potential data theft. He urged learners to plan their test dates strategically with their instructors to ensure readiness and avoid falling prey to unscrupulous brokers.
Concerns have been raised about individuals having their data stolen to book multiple tests, leaving genuine learners at a disadvantage. As the DVSA works to address this issue, learners are advised to exercise caution and only book tests through official channels to prevent exploitation and unnecessary delays in becoming qualified drivers.
By Robert Dalling, Wales Online, 16 Oct 2024