Coronavirus (COVID-19): driving tests and theory tests

Theory tests

Theory tests are suspended up to and including 20 April 2020.

You’ll get an email to tell you that your test has been cancelled.

You’ll automatically get a refund. You’ll get an email to confirm this has been done – this may take a few weeks to arrive.

You’ll then have to book a new theory test for a date and time after 20 April 2020 that suits you.

You can still book, change or cancel tests for 21 April 2020 onwards.

Driving tests

Driving tests are suspended for up to 3 months.

You’ll get an email to tell you that your test has been rebooked. It will tell you the new date and time of your test.

You will not get this email immediately – it should arrive around 2 weeks before your original test date.

It’s likely that your new test date will be around 3 months after your original date.

If you want to cancel your test

You can cancel your test if you want to get a full refund now. Email the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to request this.

You need to include your full name and 2 of the following pieces of information:

• your driving licence number
• your theory test pass certificate number
• your driving test booking reference

DVSA customer services
customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk

You cannot book a future driving test date

If you have not booked a driving test, you’ll be unable to do so at the moment.

When driving tests start again, priority will be given to people who had their test cancelled. This means you will have to wait longer than usual.

Check back for the latest updates.

If your theory test certificate expires soon

Legally, your theory test certificate cannot be extended in any circumstances.

You’ll need to book and pay to take another theory test.

You need to pass this before you can book your driving test.

Book an emergency test if you’re a critical worker

You can still get an emergency test during the suspension period if your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in a critical sector. These include:

• health and social care
• education and childcare
• key public services
• local and national government
• food and other necessary goods
• public safety and national security
• transport
• utilities, communication and financial services

Book an emergency theory test

Email DVSA to ask for an emergency theory test.

You must send a photo or scanned image of valid ID such as your work ID badge.

If you do not have an ID badge you can send:

• an email from a work email address
• evidence from your employer, such as email or scanned document including company letterhead
• a scan of your payslip

This is not an exhaustive list and evidence will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

You also need to tell us:

• your telephone number and preferred contact time
• which test centre you want to take your test at (currently only Birmingham, London, Glasgow and Ballymena)
• the type of theory test you would like to take (car, car and trailer, motorcycle, lorry, bus or coach)
• your driving licence number

If you meet the critical worker criteria, DVSA will contact you to explain what happens next.

Emergency theory tests
critical.worker.theory.test@dvsa.gov.uk

Book an emergency driving test

Email DVSA to ask for an emergency driving test.

You must send a photo or a scanned image of a valid ID such as your work ID badge.

If you do not have an ID badge you can send:

• an email from a work email address
• evidence from your employer, such as an email or scanned document including company letterhead
• a scan of your payslip

This is not an exhaustive list and evidence will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

You also need to tell us:

• your telephone number
• your preferred test location
• the type of driving test you would like to take (car, car and trailer, motorcycle, lorry, bus or coach)
• your driving licence number
• the driving test reference number (if you have one)
• your theory test certificate number

If you meet the critical worker criteria, DVSA will contact you with a test date.

This may take a while, please do not send another request.