Good grief, they sound like they have got a nightmare situation over there.
Can't you make an appointment for next week, and then see if they can fit you in this week if you are lucky... you know, in case they have a cancelation?
They won't allow me to make an appt unless I have a learners permit, but they won't let me have a learner's permit since I've had a GA license before. Soooo I'm stuck hunting down a day when I can just sit there all day and wait for them to fit me in (along with a bunch of others who have to be fit in as well.)