How much is a Theory Test?

Learning to drive can be an expensive endeavour. In addition to paying for driving lessons and perhaps purchasing your first car, you’ll need to consider the cost of your practical and theory tests. Thankfully, neither of these assessments are overly expensive. However, you’ll still need to account for assessment costs when working out whether you can afford to learn how to drive.

In this article, we’ll focus specifically on the costs associated with sitting the theory test. Many candidates only think about the price of the booking fee, but there are various other elements to consider. You’ll need to possess the required revision materials to help you prepare, cover travel expenses to and from the test centre, and potentially re-sit this assessment (although hopefully not!) on any number of occasions – all of this comes at a price.

We’ll provide further information about these prospective costs, and offer advice on how to keep your expenditure as low as physically possible. This guidance will highlight the dangers of booking your test via unauthorised channels. It also outlines the charges you may incur if you decide to cancel your test appointment at the last minute. 

The Booking Fee

All candidates must pay a standard booking fee of £23.00 before taking the theory test. You’ll pay this fee when arranging your test appointment via the DVSA’s online booking service. To make this payment, you’ll need to enter your debit/credit details into the fields provided. Once you’ve done this, you’ll be asked to confirm that you’re comfortable with the payment amount. After you’ve successfully booked your test, you’ll receive confirmation that your payment transaction has been processed. 

As you’re probably already aware, the theory test consists of two modules. The £23.00 fee covers the charge for both the multiple-choice and hazard perception parts of the assessment. Therefore, you won’t need to pay separately for each module.

You’ll be charged the same fee regardless of the date and time of your test slot. This is different from the practical driving test, as candidates must pay a higher fee to book certain appointments. Due to limited availability and increased demand, it’s more expensive to sit your practical driving test on an evening, weekend, or bank holiday than it is on a normal weekday. Conversely, you’ll pay £23.00 to secure any theory test appointment. 

Only trust the DVSA!

It’s important never to use a third-party outlet when booking your theory test. You should always book your test directly through the DVSA. This guarantees you will sit an official version of the theory test at an approved test centre. Most candidates opt to use the DVSA’s online booking platform to schedule their test appointment. However, you can arrange your test by calling the DVSA’s booking team.   

All DVSA-approved test centres are managed by either Pearson VUE or Reed. If a website is offering a booking slot at a test centre not affiliated with either of these companies, there’s a good chance that it is not a legitimate service provider. Apart from potentially sitting an exam that hasn’t been administered by the DVSA (and therefore holds no value), using an unauthorised third party to book your test slot may result in you paying a higher fee. Some unofficial websites charge up to £45 for this service, more than double the price set by the DVSA. There’s also the risk of coming into contact with a scammer or fraudulent website. In this scenario, the vendor will take your payment without making any arrangements for your theory test.

Your driving instructor is permitted to book your theory test on your behalf and change/cancel your appointment if required. As you’re relying on this individual to show you how to safely and competently drive a vehicle, you should feel as if you can trust them to arrange your test slot. If you believe your instructor will overcharge you for this service, it’s perhaps time to enrol with another driving school!

To speak to a member of the DVSA’s booking team, call 0300 200 1122 and follow the automated instructions. Please note that lines are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Do I need to pay to change the time or date of my theory test appointment?

When using the DVSA’s online platform, you’ll be able to book your theory test up to six months in advance. Therefore, you’ll hopefully find plenty of available appointments that don’t clash with any pre-arranged plans or personal commitments. However, you will be able to change or cancel your appointment if required.

Providing you give the DVSA at least three working days’ notice, you’ll be able to re-schedule your booking slot without incurring a charge. However, if you try to change or cancel your appointment any later, you’ll be required to re-pay the original booking fee. If you turn up to the test centre late or get the date of your appointment mixed up, you’ll also be charged £23 to re-arrange your assessment.

Therefore, being organised enables you to avoid paying penalty charges! Ensure you double-check the information provided in your booking confirmation e-mail. Note down the time and date of your appointment, and make sure you know the location of your test centre. It might also be a good idea to share these details with your driving instructor. It’s extremely unlikely that will both of you will forget about your test!

Selecting an appropriate test centre – consider the costs

During the online booking process, you’ll be required to pick a DVSA-approved test centre from a list of possible options. Before committing to any venue, ensure you think carefully about your travel arrangements.

It’s usually best to select a test centre that is located close to your home (or work) address, particularly if don’t have anyone to drive you there on the day of your assessment. If you’re reliant on public transport, check that you can conveniently access any potential test centres you choose. Some of these buildings are located on the outskirts of town or within an industrial estate, and therefore nearby bus routes or train stations may be limited.

The easier it is to access your test centre, the cheaper your travel fees are likely to be! If your journey is expensive, make sure you consider this cost when preparing your ‘learning to drive’ budget. Please fully plan both legs of your journey before making your booking, ensuring you’re able to arrive at the test centre on time and get back home at a reasonable hour.

How much will I need to spend on learning resources?

There are plenty of useful tools that will help you to prepare for your theory test. Some of these are free, while others come at varying costs. Although you won’t need to spend a fortune, it’s important to acquire the materials you need to support your revision efforts. Having access to these materials could be the difference between passing and failing your assessment.

We’ve provided a list of recommended resources below. Please find a brief overview of the content each resource covers, and relevant price information. Consider your preferred learning style, and ensure you attain the tools that will give you the best possible chance of passing this challenging assessment.

The Highway Code

A comprehensive guide to all road safety measures and principles. The Highway Code highlights the various types of traffic signage, common hazards on public roads, relevant licensing legislation, and the risks of driving under the influence of intoxicating substances.

The Highway Code underpins the rules and regulations that govern UK roads and is therefore an essential resource for learner drivers. As it covers everything you’ll possibly need to know to pass your theory test, we would highly recommend purchasing this guidebook. 

You can download all or a specific module of the Highway Code for free here, or alternatively purchase a hardback copy here for £4.99

Know Your Traffic Signs

Outlines the meaning and function of all road traffic signage, providing relevant images and accompanying descriptions. Amongst other types of signage, this lengthy document covers signs relating to speed limits, parking restrictions, ongoing roadworks, fixed and temporary road markings, bridge heights, warnings of hazards, and cyclist/pedestrian activities.

Know Your Traffic Signs is available as a downloadable PDF, and therefore you won’t need to pay to access this resource.

Driving – The Essential Skills

Covers the technical aspects of driving a car, highlighting the correct way to perform a range of practical manoeuvres (i.e. reversing, emergency stops), how and when to use vehicle signals (i.e. when to indicate/trigger warning lights, etc.), and appropriate ways to drive in varying weather conditions.

It will also teach the reader about the importance of demonstrating positive driving behaviours and respecting other road users.

This guidebook is available to purchase from the DVSA’s Safe Driving for Life website. It is priced at £19.99

TheoryTest.org.uk Training Material

ur material contains an extensive range of features that are designed specifically for candidates preparing to sit the theory test. Upon purchasing this comprehensive kit, you’ll have access to:

• Theory revision course: 14 modules and 140 lessons
• Theory test revision questions, answers & explanations (audio-enabled)
• Full-length, realistic theory tests with theory test topics and case studies
• Track your progress feature
• 250+ hazard perception test video clips (34 CGI and 200+ real life videos)
• Audio-enabled hazard perception feedback & explanations
• Mobile & tablet-ready

As you’ll likely have already spent a considerable amount of money on driving lessons, it’s understandable if you’re keen to avoid any further costs. However, purchasing revision resources is ultimately an investment in your future. For a relatively modest price, you can acquire the tools you’ll need to pass the theory test and become a better all-round driver. Therefore, don’t sacrifice your chances of passing for the sake of a few quid!  

Hope for success, prepare for failure

As you need to pass this assessment to move on to your practical driving test, you’ll be desperate to achieve the required score. The national pass rate is currently less than 50%, so a significant number of candidates unfortunately fail this assessment. Therefore, please don’t be overly disappointed if you don’t manage to attain a theory test certificate right away; it may take you several attempts to pass.   

Although you shouldn’t put any additional pressure on yourself, you do need to consider the financial implications of failing your theory test. You’ll need to pay the £23.00 booking fee each time you re-sit this assessment. Therefore, trying to navigate this assessment can become an expensive exercise if you fail on numerous occasions. Obviously, you’ll also need to continue to cover the costs of travelling back and forth from the test centre. This outlay may not be huge, but it’s perhaps enough to encourage you to do that extra bit of revision! 

Your outcome letter will highlight the topics you found challenging during your assessment, and give you an accurate insight into how you performed in the hazard perception exercises. This will allow you to be more targeted when preparing for your re-sit, focusing on the aspects of the test that caused you to initially fail.

The vast majority of candidates take three or fewer attempts to pass the theory test. Therefore, it’s unlikely you need to spend more than £70.00 on booking fees. However, you’ll clearly save a decent amount of money if you do manage to pass this assessment at the first time of asking!

Final thoughts

As our analysis tells us, the overall cost of navigating the theory test is far greater than the price of the booking fee alone. You’ll have to consider how much you’ll spend on revision materials, test centre travel expenses, and (potentially) re-sits. Therefore, make sure you’re in a position to burden this financial outlay before booking your assessment.

Remember! Always book your assessment through the DVSA and avoid using third-party providers.