Last checked: 29 October 2026
Book your theory test online through GOV.UK. You need a provisional driving licence, your licence number, an email address and a debit or credit card. A car or motorcycle theory test costs £23, and you can take it from your 17th birthday. In Northern Ireland, you book through the DVA service on nidirect instead.
Booking the theory test takes a few minutes, but a few rules can trip you up: you cannot book without a provisional licence, unofficial websites charge more for the same test, and changing your date at short notice means paying again. This guide walks through each step using the official GOV.UK guidance, with the rules for Scotland and Northern Ireland as well.
Before you book: check you are eligible
You can book your theory test once these three things are true:
- You have a provisional driving licence. GOV.UK says you must have one to book. If you do not have one yet, our guide on how to apply for a provisional licence takes you through it.
- You are old enough. You can take the car theory test from your 17th birthday, or from your 16th birthday if you get, or have applied for, the higher rate of the mobility part of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
- You live in Great Britain. 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.
What you need to book
The GOV.UK booking service asks for:
- your UK driving licence number
- an email address
- a debit or credit card
How to book your theory test: step by step
- Go to the “Book your theory test” page on GOV.UK and select Start now to open the theory test booking service.
- Enter your details when asked, including your driving licence number and email address.
- Say if you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition, so you can get the right support.
- Pick a test centre and choose the exact date and time you want.
- Pay the fee by debit or credit card: £23 for a car or motorcycle test.
- Keep the confirmation email. It contains your booking reference. DVSA asks for it if you contact them about your test, and you need it to find your pass certificate number later if you lose it.
How much does it cost?
| Theory test | Fee on GOV.UK |
|---|---|
| Car | £23 |
| Motorcycle and moped | £23 |
| Lorry and bus: part 1a (multiple-choice questions) | £26 |
| Lorry and bus: part 1b (hazard perception) | £11 |
| Lorry and bus: part 2 (case studies) | £23 |
Our guide to theory test fees explains what the fee covers and what you pay if you need to resit.
Avoid unofficial booking websites
Several websites offer to book your theory test for you, often bundled with revision tools or “pass protection”. DVSA has warned learners to avoid copycat websites and use GOV.UK, which it calls the only official booking website for both theory and practical tests. In its warning, DVSA said some of these sites charged up to £30 just to book a test, on top of the test fee, and did not let you choose an actual appointment. The warning dates from 2013, but the advice still applies: if a site charges more than £23 for a car theory test, you are paying for extras, not a different test.
If you need support during the test
When you book, say if you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition. GOV.UK lists the support available, including:
- hearing the test through headphones, in English or Welsh
- extra time for the multiple-choice questions, if you send proof of a reading difficulty
- someone to read out the questions and record your answers, or to reword the questions
- taking the test in British Sign Language, or bringing a BSL interpreter or lip speaker at no extra charge
How long is the wait for a theory test?
DVSA does not publish a live waiting time for theory tests in the way it does for practical driving tests. Its business plan for 2025 to 2026 set a target for average theory test waiting times of 4 weeks or less. The quickest way to see what is available near you is to look at the dates the booking service offers at each test centre.
If the first date you are offered is too far away, you can check again later. GOV.UK says the change service can be used to find an earlier theory test.
Changing or cancelling your theory test
You can change the date or test centre, or cancel, online with your driving licence number. The key rule is notice:
- Give at least 3 full working days’ notice. Monday to Saturday count as working days. Sundays and public holidays do not.
- If you change at shorter notice, you have to pay again. If you cancel at shorter notice, you lose the fee.
- You can get a refund for short-notice changes if you have an illness or injury that stops you taking the test, a bereavement, a school or college exam at the same time, or your licence has been stolen. Email DVSA with proof and the subject “Unavoidable short notice cancellation”.
If you have lost your booking confirmation, you can check your appointment details online. If you fail, you can rebook straight away, but the new date must be at least 3 working days away.
Booking in Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland: you use the same GOV.UK service as in England and Wales. The 185-day residence rule covers all three countries.
Northern Ireland: book through the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) service on nidirect. You need a valid UK driving licence with a Northern Ireland address, a debit or credit card, and an email address for your confirmation. nidirect says there is no extra booking fee when you book online.
What to do after you book
On the day, take your UK photocard driving licence. If you only have a paper licence, take your passport as well. Your test is cancelled and you lose the fee if you do not bring the right things. Our guide to how long the theory test takes explains the timings, and our free mock theory test and guide to the hazard perception test will help you prepare. When you pass, your theory test pass certificate lasts for 2 years, and you can book your driving test.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book a theory test?
Book it online through the GOV.UK theory test booking service. You need your UK driving licence number, an email address and a debit or credit card. A car or motorcycle theory test costs £23.
How long is the wait for a theory test?
DVSA does not publish a live waiting time for theory tests. Its business plan for 2025 to 2026 set a target for average theory test waiting times of 4 weeks or less. The booking service shows the dates available at each test centre.
How do I book my basic theory test online?
The “basic” theory test is the car theory test. You book it on GOV.UK in the same way as any other theory test, once you have a provisional driving licence.
Is 46 out of 50 good on the theory test?
Yes. The pass mark for the multiple-choice part is 43 out of 50, so 46 is a pass with 3 marks to spare. You also need 44 out of 75 in the hazard perception part to pass the whole test.
Can I book my theory test before my provisional licence arrives?
No. GOV.UK says you must have a provisional driving licence to book your theory test, and the booking service asks for your licence number.
How do I book my theory test in Scotland?
The same way as in England and Wales, on GOV.UK. You must have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the last 12 months before the day of your test.
How do I book my theory test in Northern Ireland?
Use the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) booking service on nidirect. You need a valid UK driving licence with a Northern Ireland address, a debit or credit card, and an email address.
Can I change my theory test date?
Yes, online with your driving licence number. Give at least 3 full working days’ notice, or you will have to pay again.
Sources: GOV.UK Book your theory test; GOV.UK Theory test: cars (booking, what to take, pass mark and support for reading difficulties or disabilities); GOV.UK Change your theory test appointment and Cancel your theory test; DVSA business plan 2025 to 2026; DVSA news Learner drivers warned about extra charges; nidirect Book your theory test online.