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Bad weather and driving tests

Cancelled tests

If your test is cancelled because of bad weather, another will be arranged automatically at no further cost

Practical driving tests are not conducted in adverse weather conditions, for example when the roads are icy. This is for the safety of both the person taking the test and the examiner.

If you are due to take your practical test, follow the advice given on your appointment email or letter. Only call your test centre if there is snow or ice in your local area on the day of your test.

When to phone your test centre

If your test is early in the morning, call as soon as you can on the day. If you call the day before, the test centre won't be able to tell you if your test will go ahead.

If your test is in the afternoon, call the test centre later in the morning. The test centre is more likely to know if the roads will be suitable for your test.

What to do if there's no answer from the test centre

If nobody answers the phone, and the conditions in your area aren't looking too bad, it's likely that the driving examiners are:

• checking the local roads to see if driving tests can go ahead
• taking driving tests because the conditions are suitable

However, this isn't a guarantee that your test will go ahead. Please call the test centre again or go there in time for your test.

If your test can't go ahead

If your practical driving test is cancelled because of bad weather, another appointment will be arranged automatically at no further cost. However, DSA doesn't pay any out-of-pocket expenses.

A new appointment date is usually sent within three working days. This may take up to seven days when there's a period of prolonged bad weather.

Waiting times for a practical driving test

As well as causing cancellations, bad weather can lead to longer waiting times in some areas. DSA tries to keep waiting times as short as possible.

If DSA cancels your driving or riding test

If DSA cancels your driving or riding test at short notice you might be able to claim for any out-of-pocket expenses. However, DSA does not pay expenses if your test is cancelled because of:

• bad weather
• vehicle problems
• driver or rider problems

Find out if you can claim and how to do it by clicking on the link below.

• Apply for out-of-pocket expenses for a cancelled driving test

Problems with you or your vehicle

You'll have to take another test at your own cost if your test cannot be completed because of a problem with:

• you - for example, if you feel unwell while taking your test
• your vehicle - for example, if it breaks down during the test or is not suitable for the test

• Rules for cars used for driving tests

• Vehicle faults that need checking before a driving test

• Rules for mopeds and motorcycles used for riding tests

• Rules for lorries, buses and coaches used for driving tests