Until a few months ago the DSA  Switchboard at Head office was an easy get in to all their services.  The Practical Test booking  option now just gives a recorded message referring you to 08700101372.
I got round this at first by going to Customer Services and asking to be transferred, but  the operators now say they have been told not to do this.
A familiar story to many of you, I'm sure.
As well as seeking an alternative number, I was wondering if  people would complain about it for me and I in return would be happy to email or ring to complain to your particular irritating company.
Any advice in particular or in general would be welcome

Try Tel 0115 901 2613 or 0115 901 2500  Fax 0115 901 2820

I've been trying to find an alternative to the 0870 number given by the Driving Standards Agency for changing a driving test date. If you look on http://www.dsa.gov.uk/tests/tests_E/pt/index.asp?test=pt# and click on "Change a test" you'll see that they give the number 0870 0101372.

Although there are three alternatives listed in the database for this number, none of them lets you reach the automated system for changing test dates. When you try any of these three numbers, the nearest you get after wading through layers of menus (press three for this, press eight for that) is an announcement saying that for test bookings you have to dial (you've guessed it!) 0870 0101372.

It's also hard to establish where the operation is based as some of the numbers are 0115 (Nottingham) but I suspect the bookings may be in Newcastle (0192).

Can anyone help?

2 entries in the unverified list:

• 0191 2018194: DSA booking service for theory and practical tests
  
• 0191 2014028: To book practical driving tests

Thanks for those. 0191 2018194 just takes you through menus back to a message saying dial the 0870 number.

The other one is permanently engaged. But this looks like a hopeful area, as 01912 is Newcastle. (Sorry -  dropped a 1 and wrote 0192 in the previous post.)

wrote on Apr 20^th, 2005 at 9:31pm:

The other one is permanently engaged. But this looks like a hopeful area, as 01912 is Newcastle...

To be precise, the code is 0191 with a 7-digit local number.

It doesn't look as though 0191 2014028 will work. It's permanently engaged, even at 11pm at night or 6.30 in the morning.

Does anyone have any other possibilities to try?

Maybe the answer is to use the Freedom of Information Act.

It wouldn't be worth paying the fee (I've heard it might be around £20) just for one number.

But you could ask a question like: "Please supply a list of all 0870 numbers used by government departments and their geographical equivalents."

If you could get an answer to that it would be worth the fee.

wrote on Apr 21^st, 2005 at 7:19am:

Maybe the answer is to use the Freedom of Information Act.

Some threads on FOI Act in Geographical Numbers Chat section.  ;)

Thanks. Some useful information there. In particular, the revised government guidelines on use of 0870 numbers. The following quote from the Central Office of Information looks useful:

"0870/0871 numbers are not recommended, particularly when targeting individuals as by dint of falling national call rates, these have become expensive to the caller relative to a geographic call, which can act as a barrier to communicating information that the citizen should have access to as a right. If 0870/0871 is being used then other alternatives – i.e. a standard geographical number (either in parallel with, or as an alternative to the 0870/0871 number), the web or postal mechanisms should be considered and made available. 0870/0871 might be appropriate in a business environment, but even here its use should be treated with caution."

So I called the Driving Standards Agency customer services and asked for the geographical number. The person I spoke to wouldn't give the number so I pointed out that government guidelines say that it should be made available. He responded that the DSA is not a government department and does not have to follow these guidelines.

The DSA stationery is marked in big letters "Department for Transport" and in small letters underneath "An executive agency of the Department of Transport". So maybe they're right that they don't have to follow government guidelines. I've phoned the Department for Transport to see if they agree. I'll keep you posted on the response.

following this one with interest as i am a driving instructor. Any follow up to the phone call with the DoT?
I know that there is a call centre in newcastle for practical tests and that the theory tests are handled by Pearson. I have a number for northern customer services but being bank holiday dont know if it will work...0191 201 8161

The Driving Standards Agency's chief executive sent me a reply explaining their policy.

I had pointed out the government's revised guidelines, which discourage the use of 0870 numbers.

His reply said: "We know about the Central Office of Information’s re-issued section of Better practice guidance for government contact centres, part of which explains the benefits of using non-geographic numbers.  The guidance also explains, however, that if a non-geographic number is used, then other contact methods should also be available.  We believe that allowing customers to contact us by facsimile, email or post does exactly that. "

So it seems that the answer is that if you want to rebook a driving test but don't want to use the 0870 number, the quickest recommended option is to use email.

[quote from last posting "We know about the Central Office of Information’s re-issued section of Better practice guidance for government contact centres."[/quote]

If the CEO knows about the revised guidelines.He should also be aware that they state.(YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CLEARLY COMMUNICATE THE COST OF THE CALLS TO  THE CUSTOMER).

Why dont they do this? They seem to be selective in there use of the guidlines.

After reading the comments here. I tried using 0191 201 4028 for booking tests. I have had no problem using this number and I have given it to my pupils to use as well who have not reported any problems. The bonus is that you avoid the irritating and expensive options at the beginning (money making exercise me thinks???). Thank you so much, this site has saved me a lot of money each month (and poked one in the eye of several corporate monsters!!!)

That's good news. Could pam15972 (or anyone else) just confirm that you can get through on this number to the automated service for changing the date of a driving test?

Although I don't need this anymore (my daughter has now passed her test!) it would be useful for other people who want to get through to this service.

My original problem was that I could reach some services through the alternatives listed but not the automated rebooking service. If you want to keep checking for cancellations, this is the easiest service to use.

Anybody wanting to book a driving theory test?

The normal number is 0870 0101372 which costs 8p per minute daytime rate. Please use the following numbers:

0161 855 7410 - this takes you straight through to an agent who can book you a driving theory test there and then without having to press any options.

0161 855 7000 - Switchboard for Pearson Vue (ask for theory test bookings) or if it is a complaint, please ask for Ian Timlin (Contact Centre Manager).

I'm looking for an alternative number for:

0870 0101372 (Practical driving test department)

Address:
Driving Standards Agency
Stanley House
56 Talbot Street
Nottingham
NG1 5GU.

Source(https://pt.dsa.gov.uk/tests/tests_E/pt/contacts.asp?test=pt)

website: https://pt.dsa.gov.uk/tests/tests_E/pt/index.asp?test=pt

I've searched the database, practical driving tests 0191 2014028 is no longer valid and also tired the other numbers but no luck getting through to the practical driving department. Google, but nothing came up. I can't reschedule my test online as their is a problem and been advised I can only call to make the changes.

Thanks in advance

Telephoned 0161 855 7410 spoken to someone in theory department after waiting after 10minutes who put me through to somebody and then the line cut off..busy or something.

0161 855 7000 and advise to 0870 0101372.

Please can somebody help with a Geo direct number to the practical department, used to be 0191 2014028. Anybody in this forum work for DSA?

bigsave wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2007 at 3:17pm:

Telephoned 0161 855 7410 spoken to someone in theory department after waiting after 10minutes who put me through to somebody and then the line cut off..busy or something. 0161 855 7000 and advise to 0870 0101372. Please can somebody help with a Geo direct number to the practical department, used to be 0191 2014028. Anybody in this forum work for DSA?

Any help would be appreciated.

It would seem to me that DSA numbers are either 0161 855 70xx or 0161 855 74xx. Perhaps trying a few numbers in that range might yield the answer? If 7000 is now disconnected, trying 7001 or above might reveal the new number.

I very much doubt anybody from the DSA is here, and I also doubt they would reveal the number if they were. They are probably more likely to report us knowing the number and get it changed...

Quote:

I very much doubt anybody from the DSA is here, and I also doubt they would reveal the number if they were.

Funny enough, since they will also be equally ripped off by these numbers, they might well 'spill the beans' - provided they could do it and not get caught..... ;)

I think the problem is that the people who would be sympathetic to our cause would often not know what the number was - and those who do know are probably getting some sort of back-handed rake off, even if its only brown-nosing the boss…... >:(

jgxenite wrote on Aug 27^th, 2007 at 12:29pm:

It would seem to me that DSA numbers are either 0161 855 70xx or 0161 855 74xx. Perhaps trying a few numbers in that range might yield the answer? If 7000 is now disconnected, trying 7001 or above might reveal the new number. I very much doubt anybody from the DSA is here, and I also doubt they would reveal the number if they were. They are probably more likely to report us knowing the number and get it changed...

Thanks, i will look into this. Isn't 0161 855 7xxx for theory test booking only and they also refuse to transfer saying something about external company, etc.

By 70xx or 74xx, I mean any number in that range. If 7000 isn't working, try 7001, 7002, 7003 (to 7099). Probably unfeasable to try all the numbers in those ranges, but you could try a few at random. Also, since 7410 works for booking tests, trying some numbers around that might work too.

bigsave wrote on Aug 23^rd, 2007 at 1:29pm:

I've searched the database, practical driving tests 0191 2014028 is no longer valid

How do you mean that it is no longer valid? Again, might be worth trying some numbers in the range 0191 201 40xx - see if that gets you anywhere.

jgxenite wrote on Aug 27^th, 2007 at 3:16pm:

bigsave wrote on Aug 23rd, 2007 at 1:29pm: I've searched the database, practical driving tests 0191 2014028 is no longer valid How do you mean that it is no longer valid? Again, might be worth trying some numbers in the range 0191 201 40xx - see if that gets you anywhere.

I know what you mean, I will give it a try.

jgxenite wrote on Aug 27^th, 2007 at 3:16pm:

bigsave wrote on Aug 23rd, 2007 at 1:29pm: I've searched the database, practical driving tests 0191 2014028 is no longer valid How do you mean that it is no longer valid? Again, might be worth trying some numbers in the range 0191 201 40xx - see if that gets you anywhere.

Tried the numbers 00-99, but no luck.

Is it possible to book one practical test this month and then another one for a fortnight later (incase you fail)?

Anybody call a geo number to get through to the practical test department?

bigsave wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2007 at 1:19pm:

Is it possible to book one practical test this month and then another one for a fortnight later (incase you fail)?

No - only one test appointment per candidate.
If you have another persons driver number who has already passed the theory test. You can then swap appointments if you fail or cancel if you pass! Useful for instructors but not likely to help your average L driver.

imsi wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2007 at 4:57pm:

bigsave wrote on Sep 3rd, 2007 at 1:19pm: Is it possible to book one practical test this month and then another one for a fortnight later (incase you fail)? No - only one test appointment per candidate. If you have another persons driver number who has already passed the theory test. You can then swap appointments if you fail or cancel if you pass! Useful for instructors but not likely to help your average L driver.

Good idea, ask my friend to book his practical test a fortnight later than mines. If I fail, i can change to his appointment. Is this right?

From all the Geo numbers not one of them worked.

bigsave wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2007 at 6:41pm:

imsi wrote on Sep 3rd, 2007 at 4:57pm: bigsave wrote on Sep 3rd, 2007 at 1:19pm: Is it possible to book one practical test this month and then another one for a fortnight later (incase you fail)? No - only one test appointment per candidate. If you have another persons driver number who has already passed the theory test. You can then swap appointments if you fail or cancel if you pass! Useful for instructors but not likely to help your average L driver. Good idea, ask my friend to book his practical test a fortnight later than mines. If I fail, i can change to his appointment. Is this right?

Yes. If you fail book another test in your name for a future date then ask operator to swap it with your friends date, then cancel the date you don't want (or keep it for if you fail again  ;-0)
This can only be done over phone not online so it brings us back on topic to "what geographical number is there to use to book a practical driving test?)
As for the test, make sure you're good enough to pass and you'll never need to deal with them again.

imsi wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2007 at 7:12pm:

bigsave wrote on Sep 3rd, 2007 at 6:41pm: imsi wrote on Sep 3rd, 2007 at 4:57pm: bigsave wrote on Sep 3rd, 2007 at 1:19pm: Is it possible to book one practical test this month and then another one for a fortnight later (incase you fail)? No - only one test appointment per candidate. If you have another persons driver number who has already passed the theory test. You can then swap appointments if you fail or cancel if you pass! Useful for instructors but not likely to help your average L driver. Good idea, ask my friend to book his practical test a fortnight later than mines. If I fail, i can change to his appointment. Is this right? Yes. If you fail book another test in your name for a future date then ask operator to swap it with your friends date, then cancel the date you don't want (or keep it for if you fail again  ;-0) This can only be done over phone not online so it brings us back on topic to "what geographical number is there to use to book a practical driving test?) As for the test, make sure you're good enough to pass and you'll never need to deal with them again.

Does o2 still include 0870 as part of their package?

bigsave wrote on Sep 21^st, 2007 at 12:59pm:

Does o2 still include 0870 as part of their package?

Only for another week. But you can always walk away..