4.8
How Much Does a Driving Test Cost in the UK? 2026 Guide
The cost of a driving test in the UK depends on where you take it and whether you choose a weekday or evening and weekend appointment. As of 13 November 2026, a standard car practical driving test costs £62 on weekdays and £75 during evenings, weekends and bank holidays in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has different fees, with a weekday practical test costing £65 and an evening or weekend test costing £95.
This guide explains the official theory and practical driving test fees, additional expenses, retake costs and what learner drivers should budget for before booking their examination.
Key Takeaways
- A car theory test costs £23 throughout the UK.
- A weekday practical driving test costs £62 in England, Scotland and Wales.
- Evening, weekend and bank holiday practical tests cost £75 in Great Britain.
- Northern Ireland charges £65 for weekday and £95 for evening and weekend practical tests.
- You must pay the full practical test fee again if you fail and rebook.
- Driving lessons and test-day car hire are additional expenses.
Ready for Your Driving Test?
How Much Does a Practical Driving Test Cost in the UK?
As of 13 November 2026, the official practical driving test fees depend on where you take your examination.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) sets the fees for England, Scotland and Wales, while the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) manages driving tests in Northern Ireland.
Driving Test Fees in England, Scotland and Wales
The official DVSA fees for standard car practical driving tests are:
| Type of practical test | Official fee |
| Weekday driving test | £62 |
| Evening driving test | £75 |
| Weekend driving test | £75 |
| Bank holiday driving test | £75 |
Tests starting at 4:30 pm or later are classified as evening appointments. However, not every driving test centre offers evening and weekend appointments throughout the year.
For learners in Manchester, the standard weekday practical driving test fee is £62. The fee increases to £75 for evening, weekend and bank holiday appointments.
These fees apply throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
Driving Test Fees in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has a separate driving test fee structure managed by the DVA.
| Type of practical test | Official fee |
| Weekday driving test | £65 |
| Evening and weekend driving test | £95 |
These prices are different from the DVSA fees charged in Great Britain. Learners should check the relevant DVA arrangements when booking their practical examination.
How Much Does a Driving Theory Test Cost?
A car theory test costs £23 throughout the UK, including England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
You must pass your theory test before booking your practical driving test.
The theory examination consists of two sections:
Multiple-choice questions: You have 57 minutes to answer 50 questions about road signs, traffic regulations, road safety and driving knowledge. The pass mark is 43.
Hazard perception: You watch 14 video clips and identify developing hazards. You need at least 44 out of 75 marks to pass this section.
You must pass both sections during the same appointment to receive your theory test pass certificate.
Taking the theory test early can help you plan your practical lessons and avoid delays when you are ready to book your driving examination. You can also learn more about whether you should take your theory test first.
What Is the Total Cost of Theory and Practical Driving Tests?
If you are budgeting for both examinations, you can calculate the combined cost by adding the £23 theory test fee to the relevant practical test fee.
| Location and appointment | Theory test | Practical test | Combined cost |
| Great Britain – weekday | £23 | £62 | £85 |
| Great Britain – evening/weekend | £23 | £75 | £98 |
| Northern Ireland – weekday | £23 | £65 | £88 |
| Northern Ireland – evening/weekend | £23 | £95 | £118 |
These totals assume you pass the theory test on your first attempt and take a standard car practical test. Both examination fees are paid separately when booking.
The combined costs do not include driving lessons, provisional licence expenses or test-day vehicle hire.
Need to pass your test fast?
What Other Costs Should You Budget for Before Your Driving Test?
The official examination fee is only one part of the overall cost of obtaining a full UK driving licence. Learners should also consider practical driving lessons and arrangements for using a suitable vehicle during their examination.
Driving Lessons
The number of lessons you need depends on your previous experience, confidence and ability to drive independently.
Suja Driving School offers one-hour driving lessons from £25, with additional packages available for learners who prefer to book multiple hours.
You can compare the available driving lesson prices to find an option that suits your experience and budget. Prices may vary depending on the area covered and the package selected.
Regular Driving Courses
Some learners prefer to spread their lessons over several weeks rather than complete their training in a short period.
Regular courses provide a structured approach, allowing learners to develop their driving skills gradually while balancing lessons with work, education and other commitments.
Suja Driving School offers regular driving courses with flexible weekly lesson schedules.
Intensive Driving Courses
Intensive driving courses can be suitable for learners who want to complete more lessons within a shorter period.
The number of hours required depends on your current driving ability. Beginners may need more training to develop essential skills, while experienced learners may only need additional practice before their examination.
Suja Driving School provides intensive driving courses in Manchester for learners with different experience levels.
Test-Day Car Hire
You must have a suitable vehicle for your practical driving test. You can use your instructor’s car or your own vehicle, provided it meets the relevant DVSA requirements.
Learners who use their instructor’s vehicle may need to pay an additional test-day hire charge for the car and instructor support.
Suja Driving School lists test-day car hire at £100. The price may vary depending on the pick-up location and the amount of notice given.
What Happens If You Fail Your Driving Test?
If you fail your practical driving test, you must book another appointment and pay the applicable examination fee again.
For example, in England, Scotland and Wales, another weekday practical test costs £62, while an evening or weekend appointment costs £75.
There is no discounted resit fee. You should review the examiner’s feedback and identify the driving faults that affected your result before booking another attempt.
Additional lessons can help you improve your observation, manoeuvres, road positioning and decision-making before your next examination.
Understanding what happens during a driving test can also help you prepare for the different stages of the practical examination.
How to Book a Driving Test in the UK
Learners in England, Scotland and Wales can book their practical driving test through the official DVSA booking service. Those in Northern Ireland must use the separate DVA booking service.
Before booking a practical test, you must have passed your theory examination and hold a valid provisional driving licence.
Make sure you have your driving licence details and other required information available when arranging your appointment.
Learners should also check their instructor’s availability and ensure they have access to a suitable vehicle for the examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a driving test in the UK in 2026?
As of 13 November 2026, a standard car practical driving test costs £62 on weekdays and £75 during evenings, weekends and bank holidays in England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, the fees are £65 on weekdays and £95 during evenings and weekends.
How much does a driving theory test cost in the UK?
A car theory test costs £23 throughout the UK. You must pass both the multiple-choice and hazard perception sections before you can book your practical driving test.
Do I have to pay again if I fail my practical driving test?
Yes. You must pay the full applicable practical test fee again when booking another attempt. The cost depends on your location and appointment time.
What time does a driving test count as an evening appointment?
In England, Scotland and Wales, practical driving tests starting at 4:30 pm or later are classed as evening appointments. The fee is £75 rather than the standard weekday fee of £62.
Does the driving test fee include driving lessons and test-day car hire?
No. The official DVSA or DVA examination fee covers the test itself. Driving lessons, additional instructor support and test-day vehicle hire are separate expenses that depend on your chosen driving school and arrangements.
Peter House, Oxford St, 
