Hi ahmed,
If I'm honest, it's all a bit confusing as to how it works.
I emailed dvsa and they weren't very helpful as to the process itself. They said I could cancel manually by giving them a call, which I decided against doing as when I was checking for dates there were none available at all.
After putting my application on hold I received an allocation of a test a couple of weeks later. However dvsa didn't reply to my questions as to how long the "on hold period lasts".
Also, they said if they have any cancellations they won't allocate that automatically to me. So I assume they only assign new slots they put on the board.
My email:
"Hi,
I was trying to book a practical driving test for a manual car at the Birmingham Garretts green centre, however I couldn't find any available dates from now till the foreseeable future. The option to put my application on hold was given, and I went ahead with that option as I was notified that if a date becomes available I would get an email and if not then the application would be cancelled.
However, what is that timescale for this period? How long will the application be on hold before it is cancelled? Also what dates is this application on hold for? For example, would you notify me of all, if any, dates from now until the next 1 month, 2 month, or 3 months etc?
Also, if I wanted to myself, how would I cancel the on hold application, as I can't see an option for cancelling that?
Please can you get back to me as soon as possible. Thank you."
The reply:
"Dear Miss Akhtar
Thank you for your email dated 18 March
I can confirm that you will only receive confirmation of a practical test booking when a date has been booked. You will not receive confirmation for an application on hold.
If you place an application on hold, you will not automatically be allocated a test date should we receive any cancellations. You will need to check for test availability yourself.
With an application on hold, you are unable to use the online system to check for test dates. You will need to contact our Customer Support on the national number.
If you wish to use the internet, you will need to cancel and refund the booking you currently have on hold. This can be done by again contacting our Customer Support, or alternatively you can respond to this email stating you wish to cancel and refund the on hold application.
Once this has been cancelled, you will then be able to use the online system to check for any cancellations
Yours sincerely"
I'd suggest leaving the application on hold for a couple of weeks and then if they don't get back to you with a date, give dvsa a ring to get and update and cancel if you're not satisfied and then just keep checking for dates.
Good luck.