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Driving tests and bad weather

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Some driving tests may be affected by winter weather over the next few days.

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) doesn't conduct practical driving tests in adverse weather conditions, for example when the roads are icy. This is for the safety of both the person taking the test and the examiner.

If you're due to take your practical test, follow the advice given on your appointment email or letter. Call your test centre only if there is snow or ice in your local area on the day of your test.

When to phone your test centre
It's best to phone your test centre around two hours before your test is due to start. This is because conditions on the roads may improve during the day, and driving tests can then go ahead.

If your test is early in the morning, call as soon as you can on the day. If you call the day before, the test centre won't be able to tell you if your test will go ahead.

If your test is in the afternoon, call the test centre later in the morning. The test centre is more likely to know if the roads will be suitable for your test.

If nobody answers the phone, and the conditions in your area aren't looking too bad, it's likely that the driving examiners are out:

  • checking the local roads to see if driving tests can go ahead

  • taking driving tests because the conditions are suitable

However, this isn't a guarantee that your test will go ahead. Please call the test centre again or go there in time for your test.

If your test cannot go ahead
If your practical driving test is cancelled another appointment will be arranged automatically at no further cost. However, the DSA don't pay any out-of-pocket expenses.

A new appointment date is usually sent within three working days. This may take up to seven days when there's a period of prolonged bad weather.

If your test hasn't been rebooked at that time, you should call our customer service centre