How to book and manage your practical driving test appointment

The quickest and easiest way to book, check, change or cancel your practical driving or riding test is online. The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) recommends that you book on Directgov. You can also book by phone or by post. Find out how to book and manage your practical test.

Before you book your practical test

You can find your nearest driving test centre online before you book your test.

How long it takes to get a practical test appointment

DSA aims to give you a practical test appointment within nine weeks for most types of driving tests. However, the waiting time varies around the country and throughout the year. So, you might have a shorter or longer wait depending on where and when you take your test.

Your theory test certificate number

You will need your theory test certificate number to book your test. If you have lost your certificate, you should contact DSA. Although DSA does not issue replacement certificates, they'll be able to send you a brief letter containing your certificate number.

When you contact DSA about your lost certificate, you'll need to give your name and driving licence number. You can find out the different ways of contacting DSA to do this by clicking the link below.

Taking your practical test if you have special needs

When you book your practical test you should say if you have any special needs. This is so DSA can make reasonable adjustments for your tests. Find out what you need to tell DSA about if you have special needs from the link below.

How to book your practical test online

To book a test online you will need a:

• valid UK driving licence
• theory test certificate number
• valid debit or credit card for payment (Visa, MasterCard, Delta and Visa Electron cards are accepted)

When you book online you'll see all the available appointments.

The types of practical tests you can book online

You can use the online service to book the following types of tests:

• car
• moped and motorcycle
• lorry and large vehicle
• bus and coach
• taxi
• specialist vehicles, like tractor, road roller and tracked vehicle
• approved driving instructor (ADI) driving ability (part two)
• ADI instructional ability (part three)
  

How to book your practical test by phone

To book a practical test over the phone you'll need a:

• valid UK driving licence
• theory test certificate number
• valid debit or credit card for payment (Visa, MasterCard, Delta and Visa Electron cards are accepted)

You can find the contact numbers and opening times to book your practical test by phone by clicking on the link below.

How to book your practical test by post

To book your practical test by post you'll need an application form. You can download one from the link below, or get one by contacting the DSA booking line.

How you can pay when booking by post

You can pay by cheque or postal order, but cash payments aren't accepted.

DSA does not provide gift vouchers as a way of paying for driving tests. If you want to pay the cost of the driving test as a present for someone, DSA recommends that you give them the money. They can then book their test online for a time that suits them.

How to check, change or cancel your practical test appointment

The quickest and easiest way to check, change or cancel your practical test appointment is online. However, you can do this by phone if you can't use the online service.

Check your practical test appointment

You can check the details of your appointment, including the date and time it's booked for, and the test centre it's booked at.

Change your practical test appointment

You can move your appointment to an earlier or later date, if one is available. Sometimes earlier appointments become available because other people have cancelled their test.

You'll need to give at least three clear working days' notice before your test date to avoid losing your fee. Sunday is not counted as a working day.

If you are using the online service, DSA recommends that you check it regularly if you want to find a cancellation.

If you can't use the online service and you want an earlier appointment, see the section 'Find an earlier practical test appointment by phone' below.

Cancel your practical test appointment

You can cancel your practical test appointment if it's already been booked.

You'll need to give at least three clear working days' notice before your test date to avoid losing your fee. Saturdays count as working days.

Find an earlier practical test appointment by phone

If you already have a practical test booking but would like an earlier date, you can use the DSA advanced speech recognition service. 

The service lets you change your practical test to an earlier date if one is available. You won't need to speak to a call centre agent to do it.

When and how to use the speech recognition service

The service is available between 6.00 am and midnight, seven days a week.

To use the service, phone 0300 200 1122 and follow the prompts. You will need your:

• theory test pass certificate number
• booking application reference number

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