LEARNER drivers desperate to ditch their L plates are experiencing a bit of a jam when it comes to taking their practical tests.

Covid-19 has caused a backlog of tests and as examiners start to get back on the road to deliver rescheduled assessments, some pupils are finding they won’t be sitting their tests in familiar territory. 

According to one learner, whose test has been rearranged, they are unable to take the test in the town where they’ve learned their skills and instead have to go to Crewe or Widnes to sit their exam.

They said: “It’s quite unfair really seeing all of us who have learned to drive in Northwich will have to travel to those areas and this puts us at a disadvantage.”

A spokesman for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency explained that Northwich Driving Test Centre – which usually caters for learners from Northwich, Middlewich, Winsford and Knutsford – is working through the rescheduled tests, albeit at a reduced capacity.

They said: “As one of our smaller centres and due to Covid-19, we have had to reduce the number of the daily number of tests that can take place.

“Usually, seven tests can take place in one day, but this has had to be reduced to five, and as such, there is reduced availability.

“We would encourage those waiting to book a test or those rescheduling a test which was postponed because of Covid-19 to check availability at other test centres in the area.

“Alternatively, they can check the booking website regularly and wait for a space to become available.”

Although car driving tests have restarted in England for people whose tests were cancelled because of coronavirus, you cannot book a new test at the moment unless you are classed as a critical worker.

To find out more, visit gov.uk/book-driving-test