How Applicants Find You

Applicants discover DPEs using the search tool or the interactive map on DPE Waitlist. They can browse by location, filter by checkride type, and view DPE profiles. When an applicant finds your public profile, they can see your name, bio, checkride types offered, testing locations, and fees.

The Waitlist Signup Flow

When an applicant visits your public profile and your waitlist is enabled, they can join your waitlist directly. The process from the applicant's perspective is straightforward:

  1. The applicant finds your profile via the search tool or on the DPE map.
  2. They click the button to join your waitlist.
  3. They select the checkride type they are pursuing and their preferred testing location.
  4. They confirm, and they are added to your waitlist.
    5. The form on a DPE's profile where an applicant chooses their checkride and locations and clicks Join Waitlist
    The form on a DPE's profile where an applicant chooses their checkride and locations and clicks Join Waitlist

How You Are Notified

When a new applicant joins your waitlist on their own, you receive a system notification in your messages. It counts as unread until you open the conversation, but you aren't texted about it. A new conversation thread is also created automatically, giving you a direct channel to communicate with the applicant.

Where New Applicants Appear

Applicants who join on their own are added to the bottom of your waitlist. You can reorder them by dragging their card to a different position if you want to adjust their priority relative to other applicants.

The Enable Waitlist Toggle

The Waitlist settings at the top of the Scheduling tab: Enable Waitlist, and Allow Discontinuance & Disapproval beneath it
The Waitlist settings at the top of the Scheduling tab: Enable Waitlist, and Allow Discontinuance & Disapproval beneath it

You control whether applicants can join your waitlist on their own with the Enable Waitlist toggle at the top of the Scheduling tab in Settings. Here is how it works:

  • Enabled — Applicants who find you in the search tool or on the map can join your waitlist directly. This is the recommended setting if you want to grow your applicant base.
  • Disabled — Applicants can still see your public profile, but instead of a join button, they see your contact information. They would need to reach out to you directly, and you could add them manually by sending an email invitation.
    • A DPE's profile while their waitlist is closed: not currently accepting waitlist applications, with Message DPE
    A DPE's profile while their waitlist is closed: not currently accepting waitlist applications, with Message DPE

Beneath it, Allow Discontinuance & Disapproval decides whether applicants can join the waitlist for a retest themselves. With it off, you can still offer a retest, or return an applicant to your waitlist for one after recording a disapproval or discontinuance; they then get offers from the automatic scheduler and/or can book your open slots in Self-Serve, like anyone else.

If you are just getting started on the platform, consider enabling the waitlist. This allows applicants in your area to find you and join your waitlist without any extra effort on your part. You can always disable it later if your waitlist becomes too deep.
Applicants select their checkride type and location preferences when joining, so the scheduler has the information it needs to generate appropriate offers. Review new signups periodically to ensure the requested checkride types match what you offer.