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When booking your theory test via the DVSA’s online platform, you’ll be able to discover the location of approved test centres in your local area. Please ensure you select a test centre that is easily accessible, and that you’re able to arrive in plenty of time for your assessment.
If you’re not being driven to the test centre by a friend, family member, or your instructor, you’ll likely have to check public transport routes and timetables ahead of the day of your assessment.
Please aim to arrive at the test centre at least 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. If you’re late for your assessment, the DVSA reserves the right to refuse access to the test centre. If this happens, you won’t receive a refund and will be required to pay the full booking fee when re-arranging your test.
Do I have to bring anything with me to the test centre?
Before taking your theory test, the DVSA will need to verify your identity. The personal information you provide will be cross-referenced against the DVSA’s internal database. Furthermore, test centre staff will check that you bear a true resemblance to the photo printed on your ID. When a member of staff checks your appearance, they’ll need to have a clear view of your face.
If you wear a headscarf for religious or cultural reasons, you’ll be politely asked to remove this in a private area of the building. In this scenario, it’s highly likely a female will conduct the identification check. If you look notably different from the image captured in your photographic ID, you won’t be able to take the assessment.
These measures prevent candidates from hiring other individuals to take the test on their behalf. Consequently, they help to uphold the integrity of the assessment process. Therefore, please ensure you bring an appropriate form of identification to the test centre on the date of your assessment.
You must present your photocard provisional driving licence to a member of the test centre team. In the unlikely scenario you only possess a paper-style licence, you must show this document and a valid passport. If you do not own a passport, you must acquire a photocard licence in order to take your theory test. All Northern Irish candidates must report to the test centre with both their photocard and paper-style provisional driving licence.
I’ve lost my provisional licence – what should I do?
If you lose your photocard provisional licence ahead of your test slot, you’ll be required to apply for a replacement. You cannot sit the theory test without this identification. This rule applies regardless of whether you can prove the DVSA is currently processing your licence re-application.
It can take up to 15 days for the DVSA to issue your new licence. Therefore, please ensure you arrange the date of your assessment accordingly. If you’re concerned that your replacement licence won’t arrive in time, consider moving the date of your theory test. Providing you do this at least three working days before your test slot, you will not be required to make any additional payment. However, if you attempt to change your booking less than 72 hours ahead of your assessment, you’ll need to pay the full test fee again. Please note that the DVSA does not consider Sundays or Bank Holidays to be working days. Therefore, please be careful to make any adjustments within the stipulated timeframe.
What will happen when I arrive at the test centre?
After you’ve reported to the test centre reception and registered your attendance, you’ll be subject to a full security check. A staff member will conduct a thorough body search, and may ask you several routine questions. Candidates are unable to bring any unauthorised items into the exam hall. This includes smartphones, personal bags, or revision notes. To demonstrate that you don’t have any of these materials on your person, you must undertake the following actions when requested:
- Turn out your pockets to show that they’re empty
- Roll your sleeves up
- Pat your body to indicate you are not hiding any concealed items
- Lift your trousers to reveal there is nothing stored in the tops of your socks
- Show that you are not wearing any hidden earpieces
- Allow the staff member to cast a handheld metal detector about your person
Please note that the staff member will not physically touch you at any stage during this search. However, they will expect you to be fully cooperative and follow their instructions when prompted.
You must store all personal belongings in the lockers provided including watches and fitness trackers. If the test centre doesn’t have lockers, your valuables will be placed in a clear plastic box and stored in a safe location.
If you rely on a monitoring device to support the management of a medical condition, you’ll be able to bring this with you into the exam hall providing you’ve received prior authorisation. Make sure you inform the DVSA about any such devices when initially booking your theory test.
Arrive alone!
It’s worth noting that many test centres do not have waiting rooms or social spaces. Therefore, please refrain from inviting an adult to accompany you or taking a child to the test centre. It’s important to be fully focused on passing the assessment – you don’t want to be thinking about how to accommodate a friend, family member, or dependent.
What happens next?
Once your ID has been verified, a full body search has been performed, and personal belongings have been stowed away, you’ll be able to enter the examination area. A staff member will show you to your workstation. Before leaving you here, they’ll ensure this environment has been suitably prepared. The computer will be switched on and pre-loaded with the testing software. Please check that your mouse is in good working order – you don’t want to be disadvantaged during the hazard perception part of the test! There should be dividers on either side of your computer. These prevent other candidates from copying the answers you provide.
There are two parts to the theory test. You’ll first answer a set of 50 multiple-choice questions, before completing 14 hazard perception exercises. Both parts of this assessment are conducted on the same computer, so you won’t need to change workstations before tackling the hazard perception exercises. You’ll have an opportunity to take a short break after the multiple-choice segment. However, you won’t be able to leave the building during this interval.
All candidates must observe exam conditions throughout the duration of the assessment. Steps will also be taken to eradicate any distractions or background noise. Therefore, you’ll hopefully be able to maintain your concentration throughout the test, and stay (relatively!) calm and relaxed.
The outcome
Once you’ve completed the test, you must immediately report back to reception to receive your results. A staff member will initially hand you an outcome letter. This will inform you how many points you registered in each part of the assessment, providing details of any multiple-choice questions you answered incorrectly and highlighting your response times in the hazard perception exercises. If you manage to achieve the required pass score or above, you’ll be issued with an official theory test certificate. This should be printed out and handed to you immediately after your assessment, so please ensure you don’t leave the test centre without it!
Make sure you retrieve all your personal belongings and have left your workstation in a suitable condition for the next candidate. The test centre may be located in a residential area, so please ensure you exit the building respectfully and keep any noise to a minimum.