This article was first published in 2014, but it has become popular recently. It was due another update.
I touched on this topic back in May, 2010, following a run on searches based on the questions “what test time is easiest?” and “why do they do tests at odd times?” The topic appears to be quite popular again, so I thought I’d update it.
There isn’t an “easiest” time to do your test. All times have their pros and cons, and if you can handle all traffic conditions competently, then you stand a good chance of passing your test whatever time you do it. Learn to drive properly and it doesn’t matter when you do your test.
But let’s take a light-hearted look at the supposed pros (+) and cons (-) of different test times, bearing in mind that one person’s pro is another’s con.
Early Morning Tests
The rush hour is at its peak from before 8.00am (-). The morning school run also occupies this period (- – -). As a result, average traffic speeds are low (+), and routes into the city or town centre will be almost at a standstill (++). However, examiners are not going to drive straight into a traffic jam, and they will most likely head off in the opposite direction away from the city and into the estates (-). Wherever you go, you’re almost certainly going to be in slow-moving traffic (+), so you’ll have more time to think and react when dealing with other road users who are idiots (- -).
Mid-morning Tests
From about 9.30am everyone who was going to work is there now (+). But many of the mummies who earlier divested themselves of their older kids on the school run will now be off to do their shopping with their toddlers (- – -). Pedestrians will come out and populate the shopping areas (-), as will some older drivers (- -). There will be more lorries and vans, particularly couriers and Amazon drivers (- – -). The average speed of traffic will increase just because it can (-), and having your test go through the city centre is a definite possibility.
Lunchtime Tests
Lunchtime starts to ramp up from 12.00pm. It marks the start of a two-hour period during which all the mummies-with-toddlers and white van men head for the nearest McDonalds (- – -). Traffic volumes increase (-) and average speeds come down again (+). The number of pedestrians also increases (-).
Afternoon Tests
Lunchtime finishes around 2.00pm (+), but the afternoon school run and evening rush hour gradually build up as the day progresses (-). It is always a gamble predicting how heavy traffic will be. Late afternoon, once they’ve picked up their kids from school, the mummies will head for McDonalds again to buy dinner (- – -), as will all the local school kids (–).
Winter Tests
If it’s cold and icy (or snow) there’s an increased risk of tests being cancelled at short notice (- -). This is especially true if you book early tests due to fog and frost or frozen snow (- – -). Very early tests will go out at near sunrise in mid-winter, and the sun will be low in the sky (-). The same is true for late afternoon tests, where the sun will be low on the other side of the horizon. The risk of poor weather is higher overall (-), and snow is slippery (-)
Summer Tests
If it’s very hot, early morning tests go out during the coolest periods (+). From about 10am onwards it can get uncomfortable (-). You may need to use the aircon, which can be a problem if you wear contact lenses (-), your car doesn’t have it (- -), or your instructor won’t have it on (- – -). Open windows increase the risk of insects getting inside (-). Summer rain can be torrential and involve thunderstorms (-). Fallen blossom in spring/early summer is slippery when it gets wet (-).
Autumn Tests
Watch out for the local University Open Days and Inductions if the test centre is nearby. There will be increased numbers of mummies and daddies pootling around who don’t know the area (- -), A few weeks before that, the overseas students are inducted, and they haven’t a clue how British roads work at that stage (-). Consider that British students still don’t have a clue after even three years, so the bar is quite low to start with (- -). Fallen leaves are slippery when they’re wet and ground up on the road (-).
Local Events
If you have large sports or concert venues, then traffic can be very unpredictable if there’s a show on (- -). Pedestrians attending these also unpredictable (- – -). When Forest are at home, it’s like driving through the baboon enclosure at Longleat (- – -). International cricket matches at Trent Bridge also attract similar people, especially when the game stops for lunch. Both venues are on test routes in Nottingham.
Every time has its good and bad points, but every good point is countered by a bad one (and vice versa). Just think positively and forget the ‘what ifs’.
Speaking personally, I detest getting up early and will light-heartedly swear at anyone who books a 7.50am or 8.10am test, because it means I have to get up at 5.30am (I normally get up between 8am-10am these days by choice). But it’s their test, not mine, and if 8.10am is what they book, it isn’t a major issue.
If you can drive, the time of your test does not make any difference to your prospects of passing. Don’t let your nerves – or anyone else – convince you otherwise. And don’t think that it is wrong to be somewhat nervous. It isn’t. It’s completely natural.
Why are tests at odd times?
Somewhere in the past, DVSA conducted a time and motion study and concluded that an examiner could fit x tests in a shift if they had y minutes between each one to do all their paperwork, and z minutes for lunch, etc. Add x, y, and z together and you get 8.10, 8.20, 9.38, 2.32, and all manner of weird times.
The examiners are usually out on the dot, though.