Learner driver website crashes

THE website for learners to book a driving test was taken offline six hours after reopening yesterday.

Thousands of candidates were unable to secure a slot before it was suspended at 2pm. One tweeted: ‘Waited in a queue for six hours and had only just passed half way before you closed the system.’

More than 200,000 tests were cancelled and tens of thousands more delayed because of the pandemic, leading to huge pent-up demand.

The website had been offline since August 2 and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency had warned learners there would be ‘very high demand’ when it reopened. It said a limited number of tests will be available on September 7, with nearly 400,000 added to the system on September 14.

Sarah Rees, of the AA Driving School, said the last few weeks had been a ‘merry-go-round of failed attempts to book a test’. A DVSA spokesman said the site was suspended because all slots were taken.