Driving Test Chaos: PCS Union Strikes Shake Up Britain’s Test Centres
The PCS union has launched a nationwide strike over pay, pensions, jobs, and redundancy terms – and driving tests are in the firing line.
Which Driving Tests Are at Risk?
Strike action could disrupt a wide range of practical driving tests, including:
- Car driving tests
- Motorcycle tests
- HGV, bus, coach, and minibus (vocational) tests
- Tractor and specialist vehicle tests
- Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Part 2 & Part 3 tests
- ADI standards checks
- Moped and motorcycle compulsory basic training (CBT) checks (but not the training courses themselves)
The one thing unaffected? Theory tests.
Private Test Providers Are a Safe Bet
If your driving test is booked through a private provider, you’re in the clear. This includes:
- Driver CPC Part 3a off-road exercise tests
- Driver CPC Part 4 practical demonstration tests
Strike Dates & Locations
The strikes will hit different driving test centres across Great Britain on various dates. The PCS union has informed the DVSA which centres’ examiners will walk out, but disruptions could spread beyond the listed sites.
Major Affected Regions and Test Centres
London & South-East England: Ashford, Aylesbury, Banbury, Basingstoke, Belvedere, Bletchley, Burgess Hill, Canterbury, Chertsey, Chichester, Crawley, Eastbourne, Enfield, Erith, Farnborough, Folkestone, Gillingham, Greenford, Guildford, Hastings, Hendon, Herne Bay, Isleworth, Lancing, Maidstone, Mitcham, Newbury, Oxford (Cowley), Portsmouth, Reading, Redhill Aerodrome, Southampton, Tottenham, and more.
South-West England & Wales: Abergavenny, Aberystwyth, Bangor, Barnstaple, Bodmin, Bridgend, Bristol, Caernarfon, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Dorchester, Exeter, Gloucester, Llanelli, Newport, Plymouth, Swansea, Taunton, Wrexham, Yeovil, and others.
East of England, Midlands & Parts of London: Ashfield, Barking, Barnet, Basildon, Birmingham, Boston, Cambridge, Chesterfield, Coventry, Derby, Dudley, Ipswich, Leicester, Loughborough, Northampton, Nottingham, Peterborough, Stafford, Stoke on Trent, Watford, Wolverhampton, Worcester, and more.
North-West England, Yorkshire & Humber: Atherton, Barnsley, Blackburn, Blackpool, Bolton, Bradford, Carlisle, Chester, Doncaster, Halifax, Huddersfield, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, Sheffield, York, and others.
North-East England & Scotland: Aberdeen, Airdrie, Ayr, Bishopbriggs, Blyth, Darlington, Dundee, Edinburgh, Gateshead, Glasgow, Greenock, Hamilton, Hartlepool, Inverness, Kilmarnock, Middlesbrough, Paisley, Perth, Stirling, Sunderland, and more.
Need to Change Your Test Date? Act Fast!
Not every examiner is a PCS member or will strike, but if you want to avoid any hassle, you can change your driving test date online.
Note: You must give at least 3 clear working days’ notice to avoid losing your fee.
What Happens If You Don’t Reschedule?
If your test falls on a strike day, go as planned unless DVSA contacts you to cancel.
DVSA will reach out about instructor tests like:
- ADI Part 2 (driving ability)
- ADI Part 3 (instructional ability)
- ADI standards checks
Miss your test without notice, and you’ll lose your fee and have to rebook at your own expense.
If Your Test Is Cancelled Due to Strikes
DVSA will automatically rebook your appointment and send new details within 5 to 10 working days. No need to contact DVSA.
You may also claim out-of-pocket expenses if your test is cancelled and you turned up.
If a trainer booked your motorcycle or vocational test, the refund goes to them—they’ll set up your new test.
Claim Your Lost Expenses Here
To claim expenses, fill in the official application for refunding out-of-pocket expenses. Make sure you attended the test on the strike day.
DVSA apologises for the disruption and thanks everyone for their patience.
