GovWire

Guidance: Book and manage your driving test: problems accessing the service

Driver Vehicle Standards Agency

April 21
11:48 2023

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) manages the services to:

The guide explains what to do if you have problems accessing the services.

Error 15 after selecting Start now

Problem

When you select the Start now button, you see an Error 15 message and are told your request has been blocked by the security rules.

The message will tell you:

  • your internet protocol (IP) address (a series of numbers)
  • your proxy IP address (a series of numbers)
  • an incident ID number

This can happen when you:

  • search the service too often
  • access the service from outside the UK
  • access the service using a virtual private network (VPN)
  • use third-party booking sites or apps to access the service to search for appointments

Solution

You can:

  • try again later
  • avoid doing a large number of searches in a short time
  • access the services directly through GOV.UK - do not use any third-party booking sites or apps
  • clear your browser history or cache (check your browsers help section to find out how to do this)
  • use your browsers private mode (sometimes called incognito mode)
  • try a different browser
  • try a different device
  • try a different network (for example, connect to wifi if youre using mobile data)
  • turn off your VPN if youre using one

If all of these do not help, email DVSA with:

  • the details from the error message
  • the steps that you have already tried

You also need to include 2 of the following 3 in your email:

  • your driving licence number
  • your theory test pass certificate number
  • your driving test booking reference

DVSA driving test booking support
customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk

DVSA will investigate the problem and contact you to tell you what to do.

Page does not load after selecting Start now

Problem

The page does not load when you select the Start now button.

Solution

You can:

  • try a different browser
  • try a different device
  • try a different network (for example, connect to wifi if youre using mobile data)
  • reset your browser settings - check your browsers help section to find out how to do this

If this does not help, email these details to DVSA:

  • the type of device youre using
  • the version number of your browser (check the browsers help section for this)
  • the type of network connection youre using (for example, mobile data, home wifi, business wifi or public wifi)

You also need to include 2 of the following 3 in your email:

  • your driving licence number
  • your theory test pass certificate number
  • your driving test booking reference

DVSA driving test booking support
customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk

DVSA will investigate the problem and contact you to tell you what to do.

Search limit reached

Problem

After searching for a driving test date you get a message that says search limit reached.

Solution

Youve reached the maximum number of searches youre allowed to do in an hour. You need to wait an hour from when you carried out your first search for a driving test date.

Published 21 April 2023

Share This


Enjoyed this? Why not share it with others if you've found it useful by using one of the tools below: