Learners Warned About Paying Too Much
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) have this week sent out warning s to learner drivers that they could be paying too much for their theory and practical tests.
Many companies have set themselves up online as test booking agencies and are charging an administration fee for this. The theory test costs just £31.00 when booked direct with the DSA and the midweek practical test costs £62.00 and an out of hours test cost £75.00. Many of the agencies are purposely using the Google systems to list above the DSA for terms like “driving test booking” or “book your driving test”, which are common terms used to look for the booking service. Some are even making their websites look a little like the DSA website, so please make sure it is the DSA you are looking at before your take any actions.
The agencies on most occasions do book a test but it is at their convenience and they let you know a few days later when they have booked the test. Other agencies will give you dates that are available without consulting you and what you need. The DSA have reported that last month (July 2013), the website book-theory-test-online.co.uk was fined £85,000 by premium rate phone regulator Phone Pay Plus for ‘very serious’ breaches of its code.
The fact is that it on takes a couple of minutes to book your test yourself and you won’t need to pay an admin charge. Most decent driving schools and instructors will assist you in booking your test.
To make sure you get the right location please follow the following link which will take you through to the DSA’s booking area and you will pay the correct amount, for theory tests see www.gov.uk/booktheorytest and for practical test booking see www.gov.uk/bookdrivingtest.