27/02/2023
So we've gone through the covid lockdown where PDA dates were hard to get & that was understandable. Towards the end of lockdowns DoT were excellent in employing extra assessors to enable a greater amount of PDA times, even extending hours to 7 days a week in Welshpool.
We now find ourselves in a situation where PDA availability is extremely difficult. Some of my clients have gone regional to test due to a lack of available times in the metro area. What a sad set of circumstances that it not only costs for lessons but a greater cost is required to get a PDA by travelling further afield.
My understanding is, there is a lack of assessors & DoT are trying to overcome this by employing & training new people. The other issue to arise is some people, possibly a driving school are monopolising the booking system. DoT have made an attempt to stop this but their efforts at this time are not working.
Just last week I was trying to make a PDA booking, 20 spots came up for Kelmscott dated end of Feb through to mid March. They were gone in 10 seconds. 1 minute later another 10 bookings came up for Kelmscott, they too were gone in 10 seconds. That's 30 bookings & I wasn't successful in getting one!!!!
As an owner/operator of a driving school I receive no favours in booking timeslots via DoT, this is why I suggest most clients book their own. It can be very time consuming to sit for hours refreshing the booking page for one appointment, time I don't have when on the road.
In my reckoning it's been like this for approx. 18mths & changes need to be made somehow. As of last week I sent a letter of complaint to the Minister for Transport - Rita Saffioti, I'm waiting for a response within at least a 2 week period. If a response is not forthcoming, I intend to seek out a journalist asking if they can do a story on the issues arrising.
So many people out there are waiting to commence employment but are held back waiting for a PDA. Young people are keyed up & anxious to do a PDA, enabling them to get to p/t employment & make life easier for parents. It's an issue that needs resolving asap.
