The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is warning learner drivers to avoid copycat websites and save money by using GOV.UK. If you type the names of some popular government services into search engines, a number of your search results might be ads for sites that offer a service you could get for free (or for much less) on GOV.UK, the government’s own website.
Driving test bookings
Some of these copycat websites offer to book theory and practical driving tests, and look like they might be official, but they actually charge a premium for their services.
Some other websites charge:
up to £30 for just booking a test, on top of the driving test fee itself
a ‘pass protection’ fee with the promise of a free retest that very few customers actually qualify to use
Copycat websites don’t let you pick an actual appointment, and don’t give you instant confirmation of your booking.
Save money by using GOV.UK
GOV.UK is the only official driving test booking website for both theory and practical tests.
Using GOV.UK to book your test:
means you will not pay any administration charges
lets you pick the exact date and time of your test
gives you instant confirmation of your booking
You can book a theory test at www.gov.uk/booktheorytest and a practical driving test at www.gov.uk/bookdrivingtest.
What is the government is doing about misleading websites?
The DSA is working hard to have misleading website ads removed from search engines. Working with the Advertising Standards Authority and the National Trading Standards Board, they are trying to make it harder for websites to run these businesses. Raising awareness is also a large part in learners avoiding misleading adverts and websites.
Report It
If you’ve used an unofficial website you can report adverts in search engines that have misled you by visiting www.gov.uk/misleadingwebsites.
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