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Guide

How to Book Your UK Driving Test in 2026

A step-by-step guide to booking your UK practical test on gov.uk. What you need, what to choose, and what to do if there are no slots.

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In short

Book your UK driving test at gov.uk/book-driving-test. You'll need your provisional licence number, your theory test pass certificate number, and a card to pay £62 (weekday) or £75 (evening/weekend). Six steps below.

  1. 1

    Pass your theory test

    You can't book the practical until you've passed the theory. Theory pass certificate is valid for 2 years.

  2. 2

    Go to gov.uk/book-driving-test

    Use the official DVSA booking service. Avoid third-party sites that charge a markup.

  3. 3

    Enter your details

    Provisional driving licence number, theory test pass certificate number, payment card (£62 weekday, £75 evenings/weekends).

  4. 4

    Choose your test centre

    Search by postcode. You'll see waiting times. Local is usually better — familiar routes.

  5. 5

    Pick a date and time

    Mid-morning (10–11am) is the sweet spot. Available slots can be 6–19 weeks out.

  6. 6

    Confirm and save your reference

    You'll get an email confirmation. Save the reference number — you'll need it on the day.

Once you've booked

Use the two weeks before your test to drive every published route at your test centre. That's the single biggest predictor of a calm test day.

Find my test centre

FAQ

How do I book my UK driving test?
At gov.uk/book-driving-test. You'll need your provisional licence number, theory pass certificate number, and a card to pay £62 (weekday) or £75 (evening/weekend).
How much is it to book a UK driving test?
£62 weekday, £75 evening/weekend/bank holiday. Set by the DVSA.
Can I book a driving test without passing theory?
No. You must have a valid theory pass certificate (within 2 years) before booking.
How far in advance can I book a driving test?
Currently slots open up to 24 weeks ahead. Some centres have waiting times shorter than 4 weeks; some over 19 weeks.
What if I can't find an available slot?
Cancellation finder services like Drivebot, Drivingscout, and Testhunter search for cancellations multiple times per hour. Or try a less-busy test centre nearby.
Can I book through a third-party site?
You can, but they charge a markup. The DVSA's gov.uk site is the official booking and is free of additional fees.
What documents do I need on test day?
Your provisional licence (photocard) and your theory pass certificate (if asked). Most centres can look up the theory pass digitally.