Last checked: 25 September 2026
The official fees for a car licence come to at least £119: a provisional licence (£34 online), the theory test (£23) and a weekday driving test (£62). Driving lessons are the rest, and GOV.UK says instructors set their own prices, with no minimum or maximum. Enter your instructor’s price and the hours you expect below to see your own total.
This calculator needs JavaScript switched on in your browser.
Licence and test fees are the official GOV.UK prices for cars. Lesson prices are set by each instructor, so enter the price you’ve been quoted. The example uses round numbers to show how it works; they aren’t average prices. Nothing you enter is sent or saved.
The official fees for learning to drive
These are the GOV.UK fees for a car licence in Great Britain. They’re the only fixed part of the cost.
| What you pay for | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First provisional licence | £34 online, £43 by post | How to apply |
| Car theory test | £23 | Same price every day. Theory test cost |
| Car driving test (weekday) | £62 | Driving test cost |
| Car driving test (evening, weekend or bank holiday) | £75 | Per attempt |
How to estimate your lesson costs
Lessons are usually the biggest and least predictable part of the total, because two things vary from person to person:
- The price per hour. Instructors set their own prices, so the only reliable figure is a quote from the instructors near you. If you are curious about the other side of the lesson, our guide to driving instructor salaries explains how instructors are paid.
- The number of hours. There’s no minimum number of lessons. GOV.UK says it depends on how quickly you learn, and DVSA says progress is different for everyone.
If an instructor quotes a block of lessons or an intensive course, choose “Course or block price” in the calculator and enter the total they’ve quoted. Our guide to how many driving lessons you need explains how DVSA measures when you’re ready, which is a better guide than any fixed number of hours.
Choosing an instructor
Anyone you pay to teach you must be a qualified approved driving instructor (ADI) or a trainee. Qualified instructors display a green badge in the windscreen, and trainees display a pink one. DVSA suggests asking before you book how they’ll adapt their teaching to you, how they’ll keep you updated on your progress, and what happens if you need to cancel a lesson.
Costs that can add up
- Retakes. Each extra theory test costs £23 and each extra driving test £62 or £75. Use the attempts boxes to see the effect.
- Late changes. You need to give at least 10 full working days’ notice to change a car driving test for free. With less notice, you pay again.
- Learner insurance. If you practise in a car you own, you need your own learner insurance. In someone else’s car, you must be covered by their policy or your own. Add this under “Other costs”.
Ways to avoid paying for more than you need
DVSA research found that learners who hadn’t taken any driving lessons before their theory test were 16% more likely to fail the multiple-choice part first time, and 25% more likely to fail their driving test first time. Starting with an instructor from the beginning can help you avoid paying for retakes.
DVSA also says combining professional lessons with private practice can help you build experience more quickly. Practising with a family member or friend is free apart from insurance, as long as they’re 21 or over, have held a full licence for at least 3 years and are qualified to drive the type of car you’re learning in. Only book your test when your instructor agrees you’re ready.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to learn to drive in the UK?
The official fees are at least £119 if you apply for your provisional licence online and pass both tests first time on a weekday. Lessons are extra, and the cost depends on your instructor’s price and how many hours you need.
How much is a driving lesson per hour?
There’s no set price. GOV.UK says instructors set their own prices and there’s no minimum or maximum cost, so compare quotes from qualified instructors near you.
How much is the driving test?
£62 on weekdays, or £75 for evenings, weekends and bank holidays, when you book on GOV.UK. The car theory test costs £23.
How much is a provisional driving licence?
£34 if you apply online, or £43 by post.
How many driving lessons will I need?
There’s no minimum number. It depends on how quickly you learn. DVSA says you’re ready for your test when you’re consistently at level 5 in all 27 of its driving skills.
Sources: GOV.UK Driving test cost, Driving licence fees, Driving lessons and learning to drive and Change your driving test appointment; DVSA Ready to Pass?: learning to drive and practising. Lesson costs are calculated from the figures you enter.