Free tool · Fees checked 14 October 2026
How much is the theory test and driving test in 2026?
The car theory test costs £23 and the practical driving test costs £62 on a weekday or £75 on an evening, weekend or bank holiday, per GOV.UK. With a £34 provisional licence, passing both first time costs £119 in fees. Each retake costs the full fee again.
| Fee (car, Great Britain) | Weekday | Evening, weekend, bank holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Provisional licence (online) | £34 | £34 |
| Provisional licence (by post) | £43 | £43 |
| Theory test | £23 | £23 |
| Practical driving test | £62 | £75 |
Driving test cost calculator
Add your licence, the number of theory and practical attempts you want to budget for, and optionally your lessons. The result is an estimate: it uses the official fees, but lesson prices are up to each instructor.
Estimated total
£119.00
- Provisional licence£34.00
- Theory test × 1£23.00
- Weekday practical test × 1£62.00
An estimate using GOV.UK fees for Great Britain. Lesson prices are set by each instructor; the default of £38.00 is the middle of the most common price band in DVSA's 2025 survey.
Budgeting for retakes
GOV.UK is clear that you pay the full amount again if you fail and rebook. A practical retake must be at least 10 working days away, and in practice the wait is usually longer. The car test pass rate in Great Britain was 50.0% in 2025-26, so it is worth budgeting for a second practical test and a few extra lessons rather than assuming you will pass first time. Check your centre on our test centre pass rates tool or the driving test centre guides.
Moving a test is free with enough notice: 10 full working days for a car driving test and 3 full working days for a theory test. Monday to Saturday count; Sundays and public holidays do not. You can change a car test only twice before you have to cancel and book again, and you must make the change yourself.
Weekday or weekend test?
An evening, weekend or bank holiday test costs £13 more. Tests from 4:30pm count as evening tests, and not every centre offers them all the time. If a weekday slot means taking unpaid time off work, the extra fee can still be the cheaper option.
Use the official booking site
The prices above are for booking through GOV.UK. GOV.UK warns that unofficial websites usually charge more. Northern Ireland has its own fees.
The whole cost of learning to drive
Fees are the small part. Lessons usually cost far more: see how much driving lessons cost from DVSA's instructor survey, and estimate your hours with the how many driving lessons calculator. Preparing for the tests themselves? Read the theory test guide, practise the show me tell me questions and check what to take to your driving test.
Driving test cost FAQs
How much is the theory test?
The car theory test costs £23 when you book through GOV.UK, the same price on any day. You pay £23 again for each retake.
How much is a driving test?
£62 on a weekday or £75 on an evening, weekend or bank holiday. Tests from 4:30pm count as evening tests. Booking through an unofficial website usually costs more.
How much does it cost to pass your theory and driving test?
£119 in official fees if you pass both first time on a weekday: £34 for a provisional licence online, £23 for the theory test and £62 for the practical. Lessons are on top.
Do you have to pay again if you fail?
Yes. GOV.UK says you pay the full amount again to rebook. A practical retake must be at least 10 working days away, and a theory retake at least 3 working days away.
Can I get a refund on my driving test?
Yes, if you cancel with at least 10 full working days' notice for a car test (3 for a theory test). Monday to Saturday count; Sundays and public holidays do not. Inside that window you can claim a refund only for reasons such as illness, bereavement, a school exam or a stolen licence, with proof.
Are driving test fees the same in Northern Ireland?
No. Northern Ireland sets its own fees, listed on nidirect. The fees here apply to England, Scotland and Wales.