How much does a driving test cost in the UK in 2026?

Official car driving test fees in 2026

These are the DVSA fees for a standard car test, checked against GOV.UK in October 2026:

• Weekday daytime: £62.
• Evenings from 4:30pm, weekends and bank holidays: £75.

The higher rate adds £13. Evening and weekend slots are not always offered. Check availability and the official driving test fee list before you book.

These prices cover Great Britain. Northern Ireland has different fees and a separate booking service, linked from the GOV.UK fee page.

Theory test and provisional licence costs

The car theory test costs £23. You can book your theory test on GOV.UK. Keep this payment separate in your budget from the practical test.

Your first provisional driving licence costs £34 online or £43 by post. This is paid to DVLA, separately from your tests. Check the official provisional licence application page.

If you apply online and pass both tests first time, the licence and test fees add up to:

• £119 with a weekday practical test.
• £132 with an evening, weekend or bank holiday practical test.

Applying by post adds £9 to either total. These figures exclude lessons, test-day car use, revision materials and any insurance for private practice.

Extra costs to budget for

Your instructor’s car on test day

The DVSA fee does not include your instructor’s car or time. Ask for a test-day quote before you book, especially if you are considering a different centre.

Ask what the quote covers:

• A lesson or warm-up drive before the test.
• Travel to and from the test centre.
• Use of the car during the test.
• Charges if you change the date or cancel.

The price depends on your instructor and how long you need the car. A centre further away can mean more paid time and travel. Check your instructor’s availability before confirming a new appointment.

Lessons and private practice

Instructors set their own lesson prices. There is no minimum number of lessons you must take, according to GOV.UK’s lesson guidance. Ask for the lesson length, price and cancellation terms, then review your progress together.

If you use your own or a family car for the test, allow for any insurance costs. Your policy must cover the driving test. Check the DVSA rules for test cars before choosing this option.

What does changing or cancelling cost?

For a car test, give at least 10 full working days’ notice to change it without paying the test fee again. The same notice gets you a full refund if you cancel your driving test.

Monday to Saturday count as working days. Sundays and public holidays do not. Use the deadline shown in your booking confirmation or the booking service.

Moving from a £62 slot to a £75 slot means paying the £13 difference. Moving to a cheaper slot means a refund of the difference. See the official guidance on changing your test.

If you miss the deadline, you normally lose the original fee and must pay for a new test. GOV.UK explains short notice refund exceptions for some unavoidable circumstances. Your instructor’s cancellation terms are separate.

Booking changes are limited under the rules introduced in 2026. If you reach the limit, you must cancel and rebook. Check the current booking rules before moving your test.

Theory tests have a different deadline. Give at least three full working days’ notice to change without paying again or cancel for a refund.

Avoid paying resellers more

Start at the official GOV.UK driving test booking page and follow its booking link. Read any price breakdown before paying. A reseller’s markup or optional service charge is separate from the DVSA fee.

Be careful with offers of a guaranteed earlier test. A higher price does not change the official fee. Avoid giving your licence details to someone offering to buy or manage a booking for you.

The booking rules changed during 2026. Only you can book and manage your own car test, so a service that sells you a booking is breaking the law. Read the 2026 booking rules.

Check the official fees before paying for any separate service.

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