Banbury Association Of Driving Instructors

22/05/2026

A week on but what has got better?
Still paying for the apps? To get notified when a test is available.
More availability?
Let us know your thoughts to the changes.

16/05/2026

Banbury driving test centre.

The DVSA driving test centre in Banbury is located at ;
The Colin Sanders Innovation Centre, Mewburn Road
Banbury
OX16 9PA

The building is not accessible to the public before 9am or at weekends.

So if you have an early test
( 7.13 and 8.10 ) or one at a weekend the waiting room will not be accessible to candidates or anyone accompanying them.

So what should you do when arriving for test.
Please don’t arrive more than 10 minutes before your test .
( This applies to all test times )
This will stop you blocking the carpark and getting in the way of the returning tests before you.

Please reverse park into one of the designated DVSA candidate spaces (facing out) , so the candidate starts the driving test in a forward gear.

Make your way to the front of the building and wait outside reception where the examiners will come out and invite candidates in. Toilets are available at this point if needed.

For those waiting ( accompanying drivers) it would be advisable to wear something appropriate for this time of year. ( the mornings are still a bit nippy)
There is a Co op locally, where you can get a Costa coffee and something to eat.
Most tests are approximately 40 minutes , depending on traffic, so you won’t be stranded outside for long.

Good luck from all at Banbury Association of Driving Instructors.

08/05/2026

Changes to the way you book and swap your test. Everything you need to know. You can also visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/swapping-your-driving-test-with-another-learner-driver

16/04/2026

Driving test cancellations.

Despite the fact we have no control over testing , that is purely the DVSA, we at BADI appreciate the situation and how much it affects you , our pupils and also how it affects us as instructors too.

So in light of the current situation, regarding driving tests In Banbury.
We wrote to the dvsa with our concerns about the amount of cancelled tests that Banbury is having at the moment and how it is affecting candidates.
This was then followed up with our Chairman having a meeting with the test centre manager.

As it stands we are a few examiners down. Despite the DVSA being short staffed they have found some examiners to come in and cover testing, so hopefully this will reduce the amount of tests being cancelled and how long you have to wait for a new test , however some tests still might be cancelled.

This isn’t an ideal situation and the DVSA are fully aware of the upset and frustration this causes and will only cancel as a last resort.

Hopefully with the extra cover, if you do get cancelled you won’t have to wait too long.

10/04/2026

Tips for Test day.

31/03/2026

Please remember we have absolutely no control over what the DVSA do. This is affecting us as Independent Driving Instructors.

📢 Remember that from today (31 March), you will only be able to make 2 changes to a car driving test booking.

A change counts as:
✅ changing the date or time
✅ changing the test centre
✅ swapping your appointment with another learner who has a test booked

If you need to make more changes after you have used your 2 changes, you will need to cancel your test and book a new one.

For more information, visit:

The rules for booking and managing car driving tests will change from spring 2026. Find out what the changes are and how they affect you.

18/03/2026

Do be aware of the changes that will happen soon when booking your driving test.

13/03/2026

Do you know the top 10 reasons why people fail a driving test?

1. Not making effective observations at junctions
2. Not using mirrors correctly when changing direction
3. Not moving off safely
4. Incorrect positioning when turning right at junctions
5. Not responding appropriately to traffic lights
6. Not having proper control of the steering
7. Not responding correctly to road markings
8. Not responding correctly to traffic signs
9. Poor positioning on the road during normal driving
10. Not driving at a safe and reasonable speed

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/top-10-reasons-for-failing-the-driving-test/top-10-reasons-for-failing-the-driving-test-in-great-britain

06/03/2026

Manouvres for test
▪︎Forward Bay park
▪︎Reverse Bay park
▪︎Pull up on right and reverse two car lengths
▪︎Parallel park
You will be asked to do one of the Manouvres above.

In addition 1 in 7 tests will get the Controlled stop (Emergency Stop)

If you go the wrong way you may have to
▪︎Reverse around a corner (Main road to Minor)
▪︎Turn in the road (3 point turn)

18/02/2026

Driving Test Cancellations

We are aware that quite a few practical driving tests have been cancelled by the DVSA this month in Banbury.

Each time an examiner conducts a test they sit in very close proximity to the candidate - this can happen at least 7 or 8 times a day, every day.
They are only human and don’t have a bullet proof immune system so they do pick up bugs just like we all do.

It seems Banbury, has had a few examiners who have sadly fallen foul of this.

The DVSA usually carry a few spare slots for such problems like illness or bad weather, but these have been used up and cancelled tests are being moved back to May/June.

We know it is not ideal, especially as the waiting list is currently about 6 months long, to then have it moved another 3 months further back can be a very frustrating situation for all involved .

We have asked the DVSA to look into this and see what, if anything, can be done.

Until then, if you have had a test cancelled, use this time to do mock tests with your instructor to get better prepared. You can never have too much practice!