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Book the theory test and the practical driving test

Book your driving theory test and then your practical test only through the official services. Northern Ireland has its own booking services.

Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland

Go to the official website: gov.uk

Official links

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Who handles it

Step by step

  1. Get a provisional licence first.
  2. Book the theory test online. Say when booking if you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition.
  3. Once you pass the theory test, book the practical test yourself. In Great Britain new dates are released every Monday at 6am, and earlier slots appear when others cancel.
  4. You can change the date or test centre after booking, but you must do it yourself.
  5. In Northern Ireland, use the nidirect services to book both tests.

What you need

  • Your UK provisional driving licence number
  • An email address
  • A debit or credit card
  • Your driving instructor's personal reference number, if you want to check they are available

Common mistakes

  • Paying a third party to book or swap your test. In Great Britain it is against the law to book a car test for someone else, and your instructor cannot do it for you.
  • Booking before you meet the residence rule: in Great Britain you must have lived there for at least 185 days in the 12 months before the test.
  • Looking for a cancellation list. There is none: earlier tests just appear in the booking service.

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