How to Book Your Theory Test (Step by Step)

You book your theory test online on the official GOV.UK service at gov.uk/book-theory-test. You'll need your UK provisional driving licence number, an email address and a credit or debit card. The car and motorcycle test costs £23.

• £23car or motorcycle
• 17minimum age (car)
• 185 daysGB residence
• 3 daysnotice to change

Before you book: check you're eligible

• You need a provisional driving licence. If you haven't got one, apply on GOV.UK first.
• Age: you can take the car theory test from your 17th birthday, or from 16 if you get, or have applied for, the higher rate of the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Moped riders can take the theory test from 16 and motorcyclists from 17 (GOV.UK: theory test).
• Residence: you must have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the last 12 months before the day you take your test (GOV.UK).

How to book, step by step

1. Get your details ready: your UK driving licence number, your email address and a credit or debit card.
2. Go to gov.uk/book-theory-test and select "Start now".
3. Choose the type of test: car, motorcycle, or lorry and bus.
4. Tell DVSA if you need support: say if you have a reading difficulty, health condition or disability. This is when you ask for things like extra time or a voiceover (see theory test extra time).
5. Pick a test centre, date and time.
6. Pay the fee and keep your booking confirmation email.

If you need help booking, contact DVSA theory test enquiries: [email protected] or 0300 200 1122, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

Theory test fees

Source: GOV.UK: book your theory test. See theory test cost for more.

Booking for lorry and bus drivers

Lorry and bus drivers book the Driver CPC part 1a (multiple-choice) and part 1b (hazard perception) separately, though you can take them on the same day. You must pass both within 2 years of each other (GOV.UK: Driver CPC part 1). Practise first with our HGV theory test or PCV theory test pages.

Changing or cancelling your test

You can change your test to find an earlier date, move to a later date or switch test centre. You can also cancel it. Either way:

• You must give at least 3 full working days' notice, or you'll have to pay again.
• Monday to Saturday count as working days. Sundays and public holidays don't.
• If you change at short notice because of illness, injury, bereavement, a school or college exam or a stolen licence, you may get a refund with proof.

Lost your confirmation? You can check your appointment details on GOV.UK.

Rebooking after a fail

If you fail, you rebook on the same GOV.UK service and pay again. You must choose a date at least 3 working days away. See failed your theory test?

Avoid unofficial booking sites

Some websites charge extra to book a test for you. You don't need them. The official GOV.UK service is simple to use and costs £23 for cars and motorcycles. Before you pay, check the web address starts with gov.uk and the service is the one linked from gov.uk/book-theory-test.

Booking in Northern Ireland

There's a different service to book your theory test in Northern Ireland, run by the DVA. See nidirect and our Northern Ireland theory test guide.

When should you book?

Book when you're consistently passing full mock tests with marks to spare, not before. A failed attempt costs another £23 and at least 3 working days. Our free tools can tell you when you're ready:

• Mock theory test: 50 questions, 57 minutes, 43 to pass
• Hazard perception test: 14 clips, 44 out of 75 to pass
• Mock motorcycle theory test

After you've booked

• Put the date in your calendar and plan your route to the centre.
• Check what to bring: your UK photocard licence. See what to bring to your theory test.
• Arrive at least 15 minutes early. If you're late, your test will be cancelled.
• Keep revising with our theory test revision tips.

MockTheory uses original practice questions based on The Highway Code. Not the real test questions. MockTheory is not affiliated with or endorsed by the DVSA.