How to book your driving test (step-by-step)

Booking your practical driving test is done through the DVSA on GOV.UK, takes about ten minutes, and costs £62 for a weekday test (£75 for evenings, weekends and bank holidays). This guide walks you through exactly what you need, how to book, and — because first available dates are often months away — how to get your test moved earlier once it's booked.

Before you book: what you need

A valid UK provisional driving licence (you'll need the licence number)
A theory test pass — your practical test must be taken while your theory pass is still valid (it lasts 2 years)
A credit or debit card to pay the DVSA fee
Your driving instructor's ADI number if you want to check they're free (optional)

Lost your theory test certificate number? You can request it on the GOV.UK website: Find your lost theory test pass certificate number.

How to book your driving test online

Go to the official GOV.UK 'Book your driving test' service. Only ever book through GOV.UK — since 12 May 2026 it has been illegal for anyone else to create a driving test booking for you.
Choose the type of test (car), and enter your provisional licence number and theory test pass certificate number.
Pick a test centre. Availability varies a lot between centres, so it's worth checking two or three near you.
Choose from the available dates and times, pay the fee, and keep the confirmation email — it contains your booking reference, which you'll need to change or check your test later.

First available date months away? Book it anyway. Once you have a booking, TestShift can monitor your test centre for cancellations, reserve any matching slot for 15 minutes, and notify you so you can move your test earlier — learners save an average of a month or more. Open the TestShift web app to get started.

Why are driving test dates so far away?

Demand for practical tests still outstrips examiner capacity in most of the UK, and popular centres can show first availability five or six months out. The date you book is not the date you're stuck with, though: every day other learners cancel or move their tests, and those slots become available to anyone with an existing booking through the DVSA's 'Change your driving test appointment' service.

Catching those cancellations manually means refreshing the DVSA site all day. TestShift does it for you: it scans your chosen centres every minute, notifies you the moment a matching slot appears, holds it for 15 minutes while you decide, and books it once you accept.

FAQs about booking your driving test

How far in advance can I book?

The DVSA releases test dates up to 24 weeks ahead. If nothing suitable shows, book the best available date and use a cancellation checker to bring it forward.

Can someone else book my test for me?

No. Since 12 May 2026, only the learner driver themselves can create a driving test booking. Services like TestShift can help you change a booking you've made, but the original booking must be yours.

How much does the driving test cost?

£62 for weekday tests, £75 for evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Moving an existing booking to a different date is free if you give enough notice.

What if my theory test expires before my practical?

You must take your practical before the theory pass expires — the DVSA won't extend it. If your test date is close to your theory expiry, finding an earlier cancellation slot is the safest way to protect it.