Driving tests are currently suspended for up to 3 months (from 20 March 2020) due to coronavirus. You can apply for an emergency test if you’re a critical worker.
Theory tests are currently suspended until 8 May 2020 due to coronavirus, but you can apply for an emergency theory test if you’re a critical worker.
Driving Tests
Driving tests have been suspended to help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
If your driving test was cancelled
What happens next will depend on what type of test you had booked.
If you had:
- a car driving test booked, it will be rebooked for a new date
- a motorcycle, lorry, bus, tractor or approved driving instructor (ADI) test booked, it will not be rebooked for you - you’ll get a full refund and have to book again later
Car driving tests
You’ll get an email to tell you when your car driving test has been rebooked.
It will tell you the new date and time of your test.
You will not get this email immediately - it should arrive around 2 weeks before your original test date.
It’s likely that your new test date will be around 3 months after your original date.
If you want to cancel your car driving test
You can cancel your test if you want to get a full refund now. Email the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to request this.
You need to include your full name and 2 of the following pieces of information:
- your driving licence number
- your theory test pass certificate number
- your driving test booking reference
DVSA customer services
Other types of driving tests
If you had booked any other types of test (for example, a motorcycle or lorry test), the test will be cancelled and you’ll get a full refund.
You’ll then need to book another test when the booking service is available again.
You cannot book a future driving test date
You cannot currently book a new driving test.
When driving tests start again, people who had their test cancelled will be given priority. This means you’ll have to wait longer than usual.
If your theory test certificate expires soon
Legally, your theory test certificate cannot be extended in any circumstances.
You’ll need to book and pay to take another theory test.
You need to pass this before you can book your driving test.
Apply for an emergency driving test if you’re a critical worker
You can apply for an emergency test if your work is critical to the coronavirus response.
This includes if you work in:
- health and social care
- education and childcare
- key public services
- local and national government
- food and other necessary goods
- public safety and national security
- transport
- utilities, communication and financial services
Apply for an emergency driving test
Theory Tests
Theory tests have been suspended up to and including 8 May 2020 to help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
If your theory test has been cancelled
You’ll get an email to tell you that your test has been cancelled.
You’ll automatically get a refund. You’ll get an email to confirm this has been done – this may take a few weeks to arrive.
You’ll then have to book a new theory test for a date and time from 9 May 2020 that suits you.
You can still book, change or cancel tests for 9 May 2020 onwards
Changes to the theory test planned for 14 April 2020
The changes to the theory test that were planned to be introduced on 14 April 2020 have not gone ahead. This is because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency will make these changes to the theory test as soon as possible.
In the meantime, the theory test will continue to work in the same way as it currently does.
Apply for an emergency theory test if you’re a critical worker
You can apply for an emergency test while tests are suspended if your work is critical to the coronavirus response.
This includes if you work in:
- health and social care
- education and childcare
- key public services
- local and national government
- food and other necessary goods
- public safety and national security
- transport
- utilities, communication and financial services
Apply for an emergency theory test
Source: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
