Booking rules
How to Book a Practical Driving Test
Book at gov.uk/book-driving-test with your driving licence number, theory pass certificate number and a payment card. A car test costs £62 on weekdays or £75 for evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Since 12 May 2026 you must make the booking yourself.
Before you book: the readiness question
Under the 2026 rules you get only two changes per booking, so "book early, move it later" no longer works. Book when you are genuinely close to test standard: passing mock tests consistently, managing junctions, roundabouts and manoeuvres unprompted, and driving independently. DVSA's guidance notes that most people who pass have had around 45 hours of professional lessons plus about 20 hours of private practice — a rough benchmark, not a rule. Your instructor's judgement is the best signal you have.
What you need
- A valid UK provisional licence and your driving licence number.
- A theory test pass certificate — you cannot book the practical without it, and it must still be valid on your test date (it lasts two years).
- A credit or debit card for the fee.
- Your instructor's availability confirmed for the dates you are considering, plus their reference number if you want it on the booking.
How to book step by step
Open the official booking service
Go to gov.uk/book-driving-test. Avoid copycat sites that add "admin fees" — the address should be gov.uk and the only cost is the test fee.
Enter your details
Provide your licence number and theory pass certificate number, and confirm your identity — a requirement of the 12 May 2026 rules.
Choose a centre
New bookings can be at any centre. Choose one you can practise around and reach calmly — see finding a test centre — and remember that once booked, a move is limited to your three nearest centres.
Pick a date and time, then pay
Weekday daytime slots are £62; evenings, weekends and bank holidays are £75. Confirm and keep the booking email — the reference in it is needed for any future change.
Mistakes to avoid
- Booking before your instructor confirms. If their car is unavailable on the day, you will burn a change fixing it.
- Booking a date near your theory certificate's expiry. If the certificate lapses first, the practical is cancelled automatically.
- Paying a third-party site. Booking is only valid through GOV.UK, and letting a service book for you breaks the 2026 rules.
- Ignoring the fee band. If money is tight, a weekday slot saves £13.
Once booked, everything about moving, swapping or cancelling the test is covered in our change guide and refund guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book a practical test without passing theory?
No. You need a valid theory pass certificate number to book a car practical test.
How far ahead can I book?
The booking calendar shows the dates each centre currently has released. How far ahead that runs varies by centre, so check the live service.
Can I pay extra to get a test sooner?
No legitimate route exists. Paying resellers for slots is what the 2026 rules stamp out. Use the official service and our earlier test guide instead.
Official sources
Related guides
Change your test online
The complete step-by-step walkthrough of the GOV.UK change service.
Find a test centre
Using the official finder and comparing nearby centres properly.
What to bring on test day
The documents and car requirements that keep your test on.