Booking your practical driving test
To book your practical driving test, follow this link.
Before you start, you will need a few things.
The first is a UK driving licence. This is your provisional licence. If you have lost it, get in contact with the DVLA so they can send you a new one. There could be a charge for this. If you are taking the test in Northern Ireland, your licence needs to be registered to a NI address.
If you don’t have a valid photocard licence, a paper licence and a valid passport will do.
Secondly, you’ll need a credit or debit card. This is to pay for your test (costs are below).
If you want to take the test with your driving instructor, you’ll need their personal reference number. It can make a big difference if you have someone you’re comfortable and know well doing the test with you. They might not be available, but it is definitely worth checking.
You will need a car. Many people use their instructor’s car, but you can use your own (as long as it complies with the rules).
When you have completed your theory test, you need to apply to the examiners to get your theory test pass certificate. You will not be allowed to take the test without one. If you’ve lost it, contact the DVSA.
Finally, you’ll need enough money.
IMPORTANT
If you don’t have the right things with you when you go for your test, it will be cancelled and you will not receive a refund. Rearranging the test is easy, if you think you’re going to miss it or cannot attend, get in contact.
Costs
A theory test in the UK costs £23 for a car. The driving test costs £62.
If you have a Safe Road User Award, you can take an abridged theory test, which costs £18.
Taking a test on a weekend, evening, or bank holiday can increase the cost of the test. A driving test at the weekend, evening, or bank holiday costs £75 instead of £62 for a week day
Disqualified drivers
Once you are allowed to drive again, you need to have another test. This is called an extended driving test for disqualified drivers. It is more thorough than the standard test. On a weekday, it costs £124, on a weekend, in the evening, or on a bank holiday, it will cost you £150.
Trailer tests
You now need to take a separate test before you can tow a trailer. This costs £115 on a weekday or £141 on a weekend, in the evening, or on a bank holiday.
Lorries, minibuses, buses, and coaches
The costs for CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) tests can vary, depending on what part of the test you are taking. For more thorough guidance, follow this link.
Motorcycles and mopeds
The prices of Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) vary considerably. They are set by local training schools, so get in contact with your course provider to find out how much it will cost.
Northern Ireland
The rules for NI are slightly different, so make sure you have checked all the rules here before you apply.
Upgrading your licence
If you already have a licence for an automatic vehicle and want to progress to a manual, or you want to progress from medium-sized lorries to large lorries, call the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
You might not need to take a theory test
If you’re applying for a tractor licence, are upgrading from automatic to manual, are progressing through the motorcycle tests, are taking a trailer test or large lorry and/or bus test, you don’t need to retake the theory test.
If you fail the practical test
You can take it again after a 10 day laydown period.
Prepare for the test
The best preparation you can have is practice. You’ll be much more confident in your test if you have driven more. Extra lessons can be expensive, but there are cheaper ways of doing it. Some aerodromes and driving centres have sessions you can use to go and practice without a licence. A new test can cost a lot of money, so a few practice sessions could be good financial sense.
Good luck!