How Much Does The Driving Test Cost?

Your driving course is coming to an end. You've started from the basics, covered all your advanced manoeuvres and have slowly progressed in terms of both skill and confidence. Now, there's just one last obstacle to overcome before you get your hands on that full UK driving licence: the practical driving test.

Unfortunately, like most things in life, the test doesn't come for free. Yep, you're going to have to pay to go through the stressful ordeal of taking your practical test. But how much, exactly, does the practical test cost?

Luckily, you've come to the right place to find out. Today, we'll answer the most frequently asked questions about driving test prices!

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Driving test prices: FAQs

1. What is the standard price of a practical driving test?

In the majority of cases, it costs £62 to book a practical test. This price applies to all normal driving tests taken before 4:30 pm on weekdays. You'll pay the same price regardless of whether you're taking an automatic or a manual test.

However, different driving test prices apply to some learners, or to those taking their test outside of these times. Remember that this cost does not cover the fee you'll need to pay for the use of a car.

Take a look at our driving lesson rates infographic for details on average costs near you.

2. How much do evening and weekend driving tests cost?

If taking your test on an evening or weekend, you'll pay a slightly higher fee of £75. This reflects the higher demand for these tests, which are more convenient for those who work standard hours.

More importantly, however, it reflects the fact that driving examiners will need to work unsociable hours in order to sit in on these tests. Be aware that, in most cases, these tests are very difficult to find.

Evening tests are also a particular rarity, with only certain test centres choosing to offer them—and, even then, only doing so in the summer months.

Want to get a test and pass quickly? Try not to restrict yourself to evening and weekend dates.

3. What about extended driving test prices?

Most learners will be taking a standard driving test, which typically takes around 38–40 minutes. Some learners, however, need to take an extended driving test, which lasts for at least an hour.

Don't worry: if you've never heard of this test before, then you probably won't need to take it! The only candidates who need to take an extended test are those who have previously been disqualified from driving and have been ordered by a court to take an extended test. Only after they have taken this test will they be allowed back on the road—a standard test won't cut it after a disqualification!

As this test is longer and features more stringent requirements, it places additional demands on the examiner, and so is more expensive. In fact, extended driving tests are double the price of their standard equivalents.

This means that daytime weekday extended tests cost £124, while evening and weekend extended driving test prices stand at a whopping £150. Of course, if you'd like to avoid these kinds of fees, there's a simple solution: don't get disqualified!

Read up on some of the top causes of car accidents for some examples of what not to do—and, of course, never drive under the influence.

4. What about the theory test?

Let's not forget that the practical test isn't the only thing you'll need to pass in order to get on the road. You'll need to have passed your theory test before you can even book a practical test, and—you guessed it—you'll need to pay for this, too.

Luckily, the fees here aren't as steep, with theory tests costing £23. Interestingly, theory test prices are actually cheaper than they were a few years ago, with prices falling in 2014 from £31 to £25, before a further reduction to £23 in 2015.

As an added bonus, there's no difference between the price of a weekday or weekend test—it's £23 whenever you take it.

Just remember that your theory test pass has a much shorter validity than that of the practical test. While your practical test pass is valid until you hit the age of 70, your theory test pass is only valid for two years! If you don't manage to pass your practical test in this two-year period, you'll need to pay for (and pass) another theory test. Make sure you pass first time by revising with these top theory test resources.

5. Do these driving test prices apply to all vehicles?

No. The prices above refer only to car driving test prices (also known as a category B licence). Driving test prices for other vehicles vary, and can be seen in the table below. Be aware that PassMeFast only offers courses covering car driving tests.

6. Do I need to pay to change my driving test?

If you wish to change your driving test appointment on the DVSA website, you generally won't be charged any fees. There are, however, some exceptions:

• You'll need to give at least three clear working days' notice to change or cancel your test. Making any changes or cancellations after this point means you'll lose the fee for your test, and you'll need to pay the full amount again to rebook. Please note that Sundays and bank holidays do not count as working days.
• If you wish to change from a weekday daytime test to an evening or weekend test, you'll need to pay the £13 difference between your existing and new tests.
• You may change your test a maximum of six times on the DVSA website. You'll need to cancel your test and rebook if you wish to make any further changes on top of this.

The problem here is that many candidates who wish to change their test do so because they want to find an earlier appointment—and earlier appointments are rare.

As such, it could take a fair amount of time to find an earlier test. It's for this reason that many candidates use driving test cancellation services. These services charge fees to change a candidate's test for them, saving them the hassle of searching endlessly for an early test. A good alternative to this option, however, is to book a driving course with PassMeFast. Our courses include fast-track practical tests as standard.

This means that, not only is the cost of a practical test included, but you'll also be able to take your test weeks or even months ahead of the normal driving test waiting times. Visit our driving courses rundown to explore our courses and find the right one for you.