UK driving tests face disruption as PCS union strikes hit test centres nationwide
Strike Chaos Hits Driving Tests Across Britain
The PCS union’s nationwide strike is causing turmoil for drivers waiting to take their tests. The industrial action targets pay, pensions, jobs, and redundancy terms for government workers, including driving examiners.
Warning: theory tests are unaffected, but practical tests across many test centres could face delays or cancellations.
Which Driving Tests Are at Risk?
- Car and motorcycle tests
- Lorry, bus, coach, and minibus (vocational) tests
- Tractor and specialist vehicle tests
- Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) part 2 (driving ability) and part 3 (instructional ability) tests
- ADI standards checks
- Moped and motorcycle compulsory basic training (CBT) checks – but not the training courses themselves
Note: Tests conducted by private providers, like some Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) off-road and practical demonstration tests, won’t be affected.
Strike Dates and Affected Test Centres
Strike days will hit different test centres across Great Britain at different times. PCS has identified a long list of centres affected, including those in:
- London & South-East England: Ashford, Bletchley, Chingford, Crawley, Enfield, Farnborough, Guildford, Hastings, Morden, Oxford (Cowley), Portsmouth, Southampton, Tottenham, Uxbridge, and more.
- South-West England & Wales: Abergavenny, Bangor, Bristol (Avonmouth), Cardiff, Cheltenham, Exeter, Gloucester, Newport (Gwent), Plymouth, Swansea, Taunton, Wrexham, and others.
- East of England, Midlands & Parts of London: Barking, Barnet, Birmingham, Cambridge, Derby, Leicester, Lichfield, Northampton, Nottingham, Peterborough, Warwick, Wolverhampton, Worcester, and more.
- North-West England & Yorkshire/Humber: Blackburn, Blackpool, Bradford, Carlisle, Chesterfield, Doncaster, Grimsby, Halifax, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Preston, Sheffield, York, and others.
- North-East England & Scotland: Aberdeen, Airdrie, Darlington, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hartlepool, Inverness, Kilmarnock, Middlesbrough, Perth, Stirling, Sunderland, and more.
Tests at other centres not listed may also be disrupted. The DVSA may only confirm changes on the day of the strike.
What to Do If Your Test Is Affected
Not all examiners are in the PCS union, and some may choose not to strike. So your test might still go ahead.
- Want to reschedule? You can change your test date online here, but must give at least 3 clear working days’ notice or you’ll face a rebooking fee.
- If your test is cancelled: DVSA will auto-rebook you and send new details within 5-10 working days—no need to call.
Important: If you don’t attend your scheduled test and haven’t been told otherwise, you’ll lose your fee and must rebook.
Claim Your Out-of-Pocket Costs
If you attend your test but it’s cancelled due to the strike, you can claim reimbursement for expenses. Motorcycle or vocational test trainers will be refunded directly.
Apply for costs here. Remember, you must have shown up at the test centre.
DVSA apologises for the disruption and thanks drivers for their patience during this industrial action.
