Theory test expires during coronavirus

Acht they give you TWO years, I think that's pretty generous, and given that no one else seems to have planned for a year long Covid disruption it's no surprise they haven't. Sorry, but I think this is the learners problem, not the DVLA .

No one likes having to pay again for a missed/failed test, but at the end of the day, if a £25 fee is going to put you off, the rest of motoring will be eye watering.

I mean they *didn't* give them two years, contrary to what you said. It was unprecedented and so there should be an equally unprecedented response.

The fee is an act of good faith.

I mean they *didn't* give them two years, contrary to what you said. It was unprecedented and so there should be an equally unprecedented response.

The fee is an act of good faith.

It’s not two years though because for basically the entirety of one year tests were cancelled ! And some people can take a year to learn how to drive depending on the pace they can learn at and how many lessons they do . It would just courtesy of the dvla reimbursed the fee or even half of it to put towards another test.

Ok, that still leaves one year? If you've chose to sit the theory first and spread your lessons over a year (Given the ave is about 35 hour's) that's not even committing to an hour a week. I'm not saying you can't do these things, but you need to take responsibility for the choice IMO.

None of these fees are courtesy or good faith, you're essentially asking for a bung from the taxpayer, and frankly there's a pretty big queue just now.

This is all before taking into account that the DVLA simply don't like drivers or giving refunds, well known for it. Again, I get it's annoying and I'd likely be moping about my £25 if it had caught me out too, but I don't see them budging (I think they made a few statements to that effect)

I understand that they don’t care what has happened in the last 2 years but I think they are being personally unfair to everyone by shutting there centres down yet making people retake their theories and PAY FOR THEM AGAIN as they can’t get their driving test done that’s what I find unfair!! The test expiry date should be postponed just like everything else has been!

Clearly you don’t seem to understand because you’re not in the position, yes that leaves one year and like I said before it can depend on circumstances the average is actually around 40 hours anyway but look above some people had broken wrists etc so that + covid means that two years wasnt sufficient because of covid if covid hadn’t delayed anything no one would be askin for a courtesy fee because it would be their fault but this isn’t. It’s technically not anyone’s fault as it was an unprecedented situation however they should acknowledge that because of that people should at least be given a partial refund to put towards another test. A lot of circumstances can come around which can stop people doing their tests eg pregnancy deaths etc im not saying that’s an excuse I’m simply saying that that paired with covid makes the two years not enough because covid is continuously affecting things. And before you say it’s just £25 of course it is but add that on top of the money you pay for lessons, car, insurance you don’t just see it as £25 as having to pay for it again is an unnecessary cost added on top of necessary costs. And if you don’t seem to still understand then I can’t help you as if you were in the same position I doubt you would keep the same argument

£25 (ish) for some people is a lot of money when they also have to fork out for lessons. I do sympathise and can understand the argument, however, don't let this stress you out unnecessarily because you may pass your test before the theory expire date.

I can sympathise and I too in that situation would be aggrieved, however, as earlier posts have pointed out it is no one's fault re the pandemic, 2 years from passing the test is quite a long time and information may have not been retained, this is a safety issue for everyone on the road and.... the DVLSA hands are tied as it is a legal requirement.

Saying all that I do feel for you but time to suck it up and resit if the 2 years expire I'm afraid.

It can be, but for context the original poster must have taken their theory sometime around June 2018 and then had some non-COVID reasons which delayed them taking the practical.

Would it be nice to see some goodwill and have everyone refunded/offered a free retake? Yes, absolutely. But I agree with StriderHort in that the priority for funds has to go elsewhere when you are looking at that amount.

That's not the DVLAs doing though? So far the 'unprecedented response' seems to be going the other way to cater mostly essential driver only., so the action is unprecedented, but not what you want.

How do you mean the fee is good faith? I can only speak for myself, but my test centre wasn't a DVLA facility, it was a private business centre and I don't think they provide their services to DVLA for free or good faith.

I get it would be annoying to have to do it again and feel you weren't able to process, but as said, when given 2 years the learner has to take some responsibility for progress and unforeseen events. Yep, some students, me included, do their theory before they start any lessons, but it's a choice.

I want to make it absolutely clear I don't *want* anything. I can drive. I'm trying to put forward a balanced alternative which is fair.

I don't feel the DVLA giving out free tests at their expense sounds v balanced or indeed the least they could do, it sounds more like the most they could do?

What are learner drivers going to bring to the table/sacrifice for the DVLA for balance?

I'm not sure you grasp the nature of public services. It's not a business transaction - it's a tax payer service which is supposed to get people driving.

I feel the private businesses providing tests wouldn't see it that way?

A private business which receives public money comes with it public obligations - obviously?

Presumably, I just don't see how that equals bonus tests or pays for them, or as said, that being the least they could do. I'll leave that to the philosophers though, we evidently don't see it the same way.