At 1st Class Rider Training -Cardiff we can book your practical motorcycle test for you, but on occasion clients prefer to do this themselves.
Here is the advice, as given by the Driving Standards Agency, on booking your practical tests.
Make sure you are ready for your test. You can do this by getting advice from an Approved Training Body (ATB for Motorcyclists). You can get details of the DSA publications to help your preparation from www.direct.gov.uk/motoring .
How to Book a Test.
Internet Bookings- You can book or change a test on line at www.direct.gov.uk/drivingtest .
Phone Bookings.
You can book a test using a credit or debit card (as long as you are the cardholder) by phoning 0300 200 1122 You can use this number for re-booking and other enquiries. Minicom users should phone 0300 200 1144, and for service in Welsh call 0300 200 1133.
When phoning to make a book, you will need a credit or debit card, theory test certificate number and driving licence number. The DSA state that
your call may be monitored or recorded for training purposes.
Postal Bookings.
Postal applications can be made using a form DL26. The form is available from your ATB or from any Driving Test Centre.
Send the form to;
The Driving Standards Agency
PO Box 280
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 1FP
Some important advice when booking a test.
If the date of your test is within three clear working days (Saturdays are counted -but not Sundays or Bank Holidays) of the date of your request, this is a ‘Short Notice’ test booking. If you accept a short notice test booking you cannot cancel it or change it without losing the test fee. Please make sure you can go for your test on that day and make sure your instructor is available before you accept the booking.
Theory Test.
You can book a practical test only if you have passed the relevant theory test or are exempt from the need to take a theory test. For information about whether you are exempt or not please call one of the booking line numbers given above.
Special Needs
To make sure there is enough time for your test the DSA need to know if you have any hearing difficulties, any special circumstances, any movement restriction or any disability. If you have a hearing difficulty or cannot speak English, you may bring an interpreter who must be at least 16 years old. Please tell the DSA, when you book the test if you are going to bring an interpreter.
Weekday Evening Tests (Summer only) or Weekend Tests.
You have to pay more for these tests and they are not carried out at all test centres. There is a list of test centres offering this service, in the test centre waiting rooms or you can get information by calling 0300 200 1122.
Extended Tests.
You should ask for an extended test only if a Court has ordered you to take an extended test after being disqualified from driving.
Where you Must Live.
You cannot take a test or get a full licence unless you are normally resident (live) in the UK. This means that must work here (and pay tax) or have close family here. However, if you have moved to the UK from another European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) Country you should not take a driving test, or get your first full licence unless you have lived here for 185 days in the last 12 months and are still living here at the time you apply for your licence. The test centre may ask you to provide evidence of this.
Appointment Changes.
You can change your test appointment using any of the booking methods above, providing that you give suffucient notice. If you are ill and cannot give the required notice to cancel your test appointment please phone 0300 200 1122 for more advice.
The DSA will contact you by phone or letter if they need to change your appointment for any reason.
The DSA state that they will always try to make sure that your test appointment goes ahead. If they cancel your test at short notice they will provide a copy of their ‘Refunding out-of-pocket Expenses’ form either at the test centre or by post. They will not pay compensation when a test is cancelled due to bad weather but will automatically arrange another appointment.
Details of the DSA service standards and complaints procedures can be found in their ‘Customer Service – A guide to service standards’ leaflet which is available from all DSA offices and test centres.
This information is reproduced from the DSA Advice Leaflet DL26i.
If you have any further queiries please give the DSA a call or contact us here at 1st Class Rider Training-Cardiff and we will be happy to help.