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Alternatives

Best driving test app alternatives in 2026

A side-by-side, honest list of the apps UK and US learners use to prepare for the driving test — including theory apps, sat-navs, and route-practice tools.

Driving Routes

Practise your real test routes

One subscription unlocks web, iPhone, Android, CarPlay & Android Auto. From £3.99/week.

Find my test centreSee pricing

In short

Driving Routes is the dominant tool for practical-test route practice (UK + US). For theory test prep, Theory Test Pro and Driving Test Success are the leaders. For everyday navigation, Google Maps is the default. Most learners use a theory app + Driving Routes for practical-test route practice.

1. Theory Test Pro

Theory test app

A UK theory-test revision app focused on multiple-choice and hazard-perception practice.

Strengths

  • • Comprehensive coverage of the official DVSA theory question bank
  • • Hazard-perception clips for video practice
  • • Generous free tier with most questions accessible

Limitations

  • • Theory test only — does not cover the practical driving test
  • • No route information for any test centre
  • • No voice-guided navigation
Pricing: Free (ad-supported) and Premium £4.99Side-by-side comparison →

2. Driving Test Success

Theory test app

A long-running UK driving test app covering theory, hazard perception, and a small set of practical-test tips.

Strengths

  • • Long-running brand trusted by learners and instructors
  • • Theory test coverage on par with Theory Test Pro
  • • Some practical-test prep content

Limitations

  • • Practical-test tips are general, not route-specific
  • • No route data for individual test centres
  • • No voice guidance or in-car (CarPlay/Android Auto) experience
Pricing: Free + in-app purchasesSide-by-side comparison →

3. PASS Driving Test

Theory test app

Theory test prep app with hazard-perception videos and a mock-test mode.

Strengths

  • • Mock-test mode that simulates the timed theory exam
  • • Useful hazard-perception interface
  • • Lightweight UI

Limitations

  • • Theory test only
  • • No practical-test routes
  • • Limited content updates
Pricing: Free + premiumSide-by-side comparison →

4. DriverZ

Driving school

A US-focused driver-education and behind-the-wheel-training app with state-specific permit prep.

Strengths

  • • State-specific permit-test prep
  • • Behind-the-wheel lesson scheduling integration in some US states
  • • Course completion certificates accepted by some state DMVs

Limitations

  • • Permit course only — no route practice for the road test
  • • US-focused; no UK coverage
  • • Higher upfront cost than a single-month app subscription
Pricing: From $39 for permit courseSide-by-side comparison →

5. Sat-nav apps (TomTom, Garmin)

Sat-nav

General-purpose navigation apps for getting from A to B.

Strengths

  • • Excellent for everyday navigation between two points
  • • Live traffic and routing
  • • Offline maps in most paid tiers

Limitations

  • • No driving-test-route data — they don't know what the examiner uses
  • • Not tuned for instruction or test-day learning
  • • No integration with test-centre selection
Pricing: Free to £39.99/yr depending on appSide-by-side comparison →

6. Google Maps

Sat-nav

Google's general-purpose mapping and navigation product.

Strengths

  • • Best-in-class general navigation
  • • Live traffic and reroute
  • • Free to use

Limitations

  • • Doesn't publish driving-test routes
  • • Optimises for shortest/fastest path, not the examiner's choice
  • • Not designed for instructional, predictable, repeated practice runs
Pricing: FreeSide-by-side comparison →

Frequently asked questions

What is the best app for the driving test in 2026?
It depends on which part of the test you're preparing for. For theory, Theory Test Pro and Driving Test Success lead the pack. For the practical test, Driving Routes is the only app that publishes the real routes examiners use at UK and US test centres, with voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation. Most learners use one theory app and one practical app.
Is there a free alternative to Driving Routes?
Theory test apps have generous free tiers. For practical-test route data, there isn't a complete free alternative — the closest is asking your instructor for the local routes verbally. Driving Routes' weekly plan (£3.99) is the lowest commitment option for route practice.
Which app do driving instructors recommend?
Approved driving instructors (ADIs) widely recommend Theory Test Pro for theory and Driving Routes for the practical-test routes. The two are complementary and cover different parts of the test.