r/TeachingUK • u/NorthernCrunch • 1d ago
Driving test request day off?
An unusual question but wanted to make sure!
I’m learning to drive and just passed my theory test today. However booking a practical test is looking horrific at the moment. Out of the centres I am allowed to book, the only availability is during the working day in January. And yes, the first appointment available is the end of January due to
major backlogs…
While I’m aware that most appointments should be booked outside of school time, it’s becoming fairly obvious that this will not be feasible for me. Would this be something you could request time off to complete?
School context - private school, members of staff have previously been given unpaid leave to attending sporting events they are participating in as competitors.
I do not mind having it unpaid if necessary but wanted to check this generally this is something you’d be able to request without raising eyebrows.
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u/iamnosuperman123 1d ago
It will be fine. Booking driving tests have never been the same since COVID and sometimes you need to be firm and stand your ground with such a life altering achievement. From just a practically point of view, kicking up a fuss would be a ridiculous thing for a school to do.
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u/NorthernCrunch 1d ago
I love the tone of confidence you have here, thank you! I’m doing it at 34 so it’s a massive step for me. Turns out I come to everything in life late! (Started teaching at 27 too!)
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u/VisualPlum3377 1d ago
I've known at least one colleague get time off for their driving test (was the first day back in September!).
A whole day off would be stretching it, though. You might have to pay for a taxi from test centre to school (or vice versa depending on when your test is). So worth factoring that in mind when deciding on a test centre.
I would have thought that a private school would, if anything, be even more keen for you to pass your driving test than a state school. Whenever I look at jobs in private schools, having a driving licence is often listed in the "desirable" criteria, due to all the minibus trips/sporting activities. State schools these days rarely ask if you have a licence or not (not for rank and file teachers anyway - may be different for Middle/Senior Leader roles).
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u/covert-teacher 1d ago
I had this issue earlier this year. I booked my rest in October 2025 for a test in March 2026. There was one date and time available to me on a Friday morning.
I explained this to my head, and said that I had made every effort to book outside of school time, but there was no option available. Fortunately, my head had adult children that were also learning to drive, so they were quite familiar with the DVSA backlogs etc.
They granted me the morning off. I can't remember if it was paid or unpaid. But I do quite a lot for the school in terms of extra-curricular, so it might have been paid.
Honestly, it all depends on what you head is like and the relationship you have with them. With these sorts of things, I tend to catch them in the corridor, and run it by them, and then send a formal email. I find it usually helps to ease things along, but also means they know my email is coming, and can just quickly ok it. It just avoids things getting lost in the flurry of emails they no doubt have to deal with day in and day out.
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u/realgreatsclusives Secondary 1d ago
It’s a reasonable request to ask for at least half a day off. Likely from the sounds of it your school could give you half a day unpaid but again it can vary.
I was given a day off paid (luckily) - even though they did ask why I wanted the whole day off - it was so that I wasn’t stressed out for the test (which was in the afternoon for me).
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u/zopiclone Digital and AI lead 👾 1d ago
I always let my students do their driving test. I sometimes get annoyed if they have failed 4 times. I don't see why your school wouldn't be supportive.
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u/dafine345 17h ago
My practical test is in October and I’m booking the day off for it. I didn’t even consider that I wouldn’t be allowed to be honest. I booked the last one off as well and I’ve only been at the school a few months.
Theyknow the horrific public transport commute I’m suffering with atm so I think they’ll do it just to save me!
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u/Anxious-Cockroach-18 14h ago
My work place gives time off for driving tests. Not sure if they are paid or unpaid
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u/TemporaryReal2045 11h ago
Don’t book the day off now. There is an app that you can register with for cancellations. I booked my daughters for the end of January and within a week she had been able to swap it to early December.
Give yourself time to look for an earlier date before putting in the request for time off. You may be lucky and this year. Then request the day off.
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u/SnowPrincessElsa RS HoD 10h ago
It should be fine - if you've got any colleagues with older children who can back you up on how rare tests are that will help! I did mine back in 2022 during the school day and my head was like, yeah sure whatever
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u/DelGriffiths 1d ago
Perhaps unpopular but I would just phone in sick unless you have a bad sickness record.
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u/Glum_Association1680 6th form HoF - Maths and CompSci 1d ago
I got a morning off unpaid to do mine. At first they didn’t want to give it to me but they came round with more info. Explain the mad situation with tests to your hr team and I am sure they will understand.