The UK practical driving test costs £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings and weekends, fees set by the DVSA. The theory test costs a separate £23 and must be passed before you can book your practical. Both fees are fixed by the DVSA and are the same across England, Scotland and Wales. There are no hidden extras to pay on the day – these flat fees cover your one attempt in full. Here is the complete breakdown of what each fee includes and the other costs to plan for.
DVSA test fees at a glance
| Test | Weekday | Evening/weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Theory test (car) | £23 | £23 (no difference) |
| Practical test (car) | £62 | £75 |
Evening slots are classed as those starting at or after 4:30pm, and weekend and bank holiday tests also carry the higher rate. Whether an evening slot is worth the extra £13 depends on availability and your own schedule – some test centres have long weekday waiting lists and shorter weekend queues.
What the practical test fee includes
Your £62 or £75 covers the complete practical driving test:
- An approximately 40-minute drive on public roads
- A short eyesight check at the start
- One of four possible manoeuvres
- Independent driving for around 20 minutes (following a sat nav or road signs)
- The examiner’s assessment and result at the end
If you fail and need to rebook, you pay the full fee again. There is no partial credit or discount for a previous attempt.
What the theory test fee includes
The theory test fee of £23 covers:
- The multiple-choice section (50 questions, 57 minutes, pass mark 43)
- The hazard perception section (14 clips, 15 scoreable hazards, pass mark 44 out of 75)
Both parts take place in the same sitting. If you fail one section, you must resit the whole theory test and pay £23 again. That makes the clips an expensive place to be casual, so it is worth reading how the hazard perception test works before you book.
How much does it cost to get a driving licence in the UK?
The licence itself – the photocard – is applied for separately through the DVLA. The provisional licence application costs a standard DVLA fee (check the current rate at GOV.UK), and a full licence is issued automatically after you pass without further payment.
Across the typical learning journey, the total mandatory DVSA costs are: one provisional licence fee, one theory test fee (£23), and one practical test fee (£62 or £75). Retakes add more if needed. Optional post-test training sits outside that list, and our breakdown of what Pass Plus costs covers whether the insurance saving justifies the outlay.
The bigger cost: lessons
The test fees are a small part of the total cost of learning to drive. The largest expense is always the lessons or course, and the cost of an intensive course dwarfs the test fee itself. The number of hours you need varies by experience, and choosing the right amount of tuition is what most affects your overall spend.
Taking too few hours and failing the practical test means paying the £62 fee again plus additional lesson costs. Taking more hours than you need simply increases tuition spend without improving your result. The efficiency of your learning – how quickly you progress per hour – is what you can genuinely control.
Our pricing page shows how our course costs compare when you factor in test fees, and our course comparison helps you pick the right course length for your experience level. Our step-by-step process explains how we sequence theory and practical preparation so you are not paying to retake either test. If you have already had lessons elsewhere and want to finish efficiently without starting from scratch, our Improver course is designed to bridge that gap.
Cancellations and rescheduling
If you need to cancel or reschedule your practical test, the DVSA requires at least 3 clear working days’ notice to rebook without losing your fee. Cancel with less notice and you forfeit the test fee. Many test centres have long waiting lists in busy periods, so if you need to rebook you may face a significant wait before the next available slot – another reason to be genuinely test-ready before sitting your first attempt.
You can rebook online through GOV.UK using your test booking reference. There is no limit on the number of times you can rebook or reattempt, but each attempt requires the full test fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to claim 40 hours of free driving lessons?
There is no official government scheme offering 40 hours of free driving lessons. Adverts claiming this are typically misleading or lead to paid sign-ups. If you see this offer, check the small print carefully before providing any personal details or payment information.
How much is a 1-hour driving lesson in the UK?
Lesson prices vary by region, instructor, and school. Rates differ across the country, with lessons in major cities typically costing more than in rural areas. Rather than a national average that may not reflect your area, check with local instructors or schools for current rates.
Can you get help with the driving theory test if you are dyslexic?
Yes. The DVSA offers support arrangements for learners with dyslexia and other reading difficulties, including extra time and an audio version of the multiple-choice section with a headset. You need to arrange this when you book your theory test and may be asked to provide evidence of your condition.
How much does it cost to get a driving licence in the UK?
The mandatory DVSA costs are: theory test (£23), practical test (£62 weekdays, £75 evenings/weekends), and provisional licence application fee (set by DVLA – check GOV.UK for the current rate). Retakes cost the same fee each time.