Driving Theory Test Cost and What's Included (2026)
Last verified: June 2026
The DVSA charges £23 for the car theory test[1]. The fee covers both sections (multiple choice and hazard perception) taken in one sitting. Booked directly through gov.uk, no extra fees apply. This page covers the format, the pass mark, official prep, the warnings about third-party booking sites, and pass rate data.
How the test breaks down
| Part | Length | Pass mark | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple choice | 50 questions, 57 minutes | 43 / 50 | gov.uk[1] |
| Hazard perception | 14 video clips, around 22 minutes | 44 / 75 | gov.uk[1] |
| Total session | About 90 minutes | Both parts to pass | gov.uk |
Theory test cost by vehicle category
The car and motorcycle theory test costs £23. The lorry, bus and coach theory test is not £23 and is not a single test: it is two separately priced Driver CPC parts, £26 for the multiple-choice questions and £11 for hazard perception, so £37 for the pair. The theory test for trainee driving instructors (ADI part 1) is £81. Every one of these fees is the same on a weekday as it is on an evening, weekend or bank holiday. Fees below are from the DVSA fee tables published on gov.uk, page last updated 27 January 2025[7].
| Category | Test | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car (category B) | Theory test: multiple choice and hazard perception in one sitting | £23 | gov.uk[7] |
| Motorcycle and moped | Theory test: multiple choice and hazard perception in one sitting | £23 | gov.uk[7] |
| Lorry, bus and coach (C1, C, D1, D) | Driver CPC part 1a: multiple-choice questions | £26 | gov.uk[7] |
| Lorry, bus and coach (C1, C, D1, D) | Driver CPC part 1b: hazard perception | £11 | gov.uk[7] |
| Lorry, bus and coach (C1, C, D1, D) | Parts 1a and 1b together, the full theory stage | £37 | gov.uk[7] |
| Lorry, bus and coach (C1, C, D1, D) | Driver CPC part 2: case studies (a later test, not the theory stage) | £23 | gov.uk[7] |
| Trainee driving instructor | ADI part 1 theory test | £81 | gov.uk[8] |
DVSA charges the same for every lorry and bus category, so a C1 (up to 7.5 tonnes), a C (rigid lorry, what the trade still calls class 2), a D1 (minibus) and a D (bus and coach) theory test all cost £37 for parts 1a and 1b together[7]. There is no separate cheaper C1 rate and no premium for class 1. You must already hold a full car licence and a provisional lorry or bus entitlement before you can book any of them.
What it costs to book a theory test
Booking a theory test through the official DVSA service on gov.uk costs the test fee and nothing else: £23 for a car or motorcycle test, £26 plus £11 for a lorry or bus test. There is no booking fee, no card surcharge and no service charge. gov.uk states plainly that these are the prices to book through GOV.UK and that unofficial websites usually charge more[7]. You need your provisional licence number, an email address and a debit or credit card to complete the booking[9].
If you fail, you pay the full fee again and the earliest date you can rebook is three working days away[9]. Turning up late, or without the right licence, means the test is cancelled and the fee is lost.
How to book
Book directly on gov.uk by searching "book theory test" and following the official DVSA service. You will need your provisional licence number, an email address, and a debit or credit card. The DVSA system shows available slots at theory test centres near you. Choose a slot, pay the £23, and receive a confirmation email.
Preparation
Free official resources
- The Highway Code online: full text on gov.uk, free[6].
- DVSA practice questions: a free tool on gov.uk that mirrors the multiple-choice format[2].
- Hazard perception clip examples: free DVSA examples on the official Safe Driving for Life website[3].
Official paid resources
DVSA publishes paid revision material at retailers and through its Safe Driving for Life service[3]:
- The Official DVSA Theory Test Kit (app): £5-10. Subscription form for ongoing access. Updated to current syllabus.
- The Official Highway Code (book): around £3-4 in print. Free online; the print is for those who prefer paper.
- Driving - The Essential Skills (DVSA learner manual): about £12-15. The companion book to the lessons themselves; useful even after the theory test.
Third-party apps
Many third-party theory apps exist. Some present the DVSA-licensed question bank with helpful study features (timed practice, mock papers, weak-topic identification); others charge more for less than the free gov.uk tool offers. If you pay for one, check what it adds beyond the free DVSA tool. Free official material plus the DVSA Theory Test Kit covers most learners adequately.
Pass rate
DVSA published statistics show a car theory test pass rate of 44.8 per cent for April 2025 to March 2026[5]. Hazard perception is widely reported as the harder section. The most common reason for failing the multiple choice is poor coverage of road signs and stopping distances; for hazard perception it is clicking too early or too late. Practise both with the free DVSA tools before booking the test.
If you fail
DVSA rules[1]:
- Wait at least three working days before sitting again.
- Pay the full £23 again.
- You can rebook online immediately after the cooling-off period.
There is no maximum number of attempts. The cost adds up: three failed sittings is £69, four is £92. Practise to pass first time.
Theory test certificate validity
Your theory test certificate is valid for two years. If you do not pass your practical test within those two years, the certificate expires and you must take (and pay for) the theory test again. With DVSA practical test waiting times in 2026 stretching to 12 to 24 weeks at busy test centres, a long delay between theory pass and first practical attempt is realistic. Do not sit theory months before you plan to start lessons.
What to read next
Frequently asked questions
How much is the car theory test in 2026?
£23. The fee is set by the DVSA and published on gov.uk. It covers both parts of the test, multiple choice and hazard perception, taken in one sitting. The fee has held at £23 for several years. Always book directly on gov.uk: third-party booking sites can charge a surcharge that buys you nothing the DVSA does not already provide.
What does the theory test involve?
Two parts in one session. Part one is 50 multiple choice questions; you need 43 correct to pass. Part two is a 14-clip hazard perception test scored out of 75; you need 44 to pass. Both parts must be passed in the same sitting. Total time is about 90 minutes including settling in. The questions are drawn from the DVSA-published bank of revision material that mirrors the Highway Code.
Can I book the theory test before I have a provisional licence?
No. The DVLA-issued provisional licence number is required to book the theory test. You can study and sit practice questions before your provisional arrives, but the actual booking has to wait until you have the licence in hand. Some learners try to book speculatively; the DVSA system blocks the transaction without a valid licence number.
How much do official DVSA preparation materials cost?
The Highway Code online edition is free on gov.uk. The DVSA practice questions tool is free on gov.uk. The DVSA-published Theory Test Kit (book or app) costs £5-15 depending on format and retailer. Third-party apps charging more than that are usually wrapping the same DVSA-licensed question bank with a different interface; some are good, many add nothing of value over the free official tools.
What is the theory test pass rate?
Around 45 per cent. The car theory test pass rate was 44.8 per cent for April 2025 to March 2026 in DVSA statistics (2,924,430 tests conducted, 1,311,341 passed). The figure has trended slightly down since 2020 (45.2 per cent in 2023-24, 44.9 per cent in 2024-25) as the question bank has been updated. Hazard perception is widely reported as the harder of the two parts. If you fail, you must wait three working days before rebooking and pay the full £23 again.
How much is the HGV theory test?
£37 for the theory stage. The lorry theory test is priced as two Driver CPC parts rather than one fee: part 1a, the multiple-choice questions, is £26, and part 1b, hazard perception, is £11. Both are the same price on weekdays and at evenings and weekends. Driver CPC part 2 (case studies) is a further £23 but is a separate later test, not part of the theory stage. Source: DVSA fee tables on gov.uk, page updated 27 January 2025.
Is the C1, class 2 or bus theory test a different price?
No. DVSA charges one rate across all lorry and bus categories, so C1 (up to 7.5 tonnes), C (rigid lorry, still called class 2 in the trade), D1 (minibus) and D (bus and coach) theory tests all cost £26 for part 1a plus £11 for part 1b, £37 in total. There is no cheaper C1 rate and no premium for the larger categories. Source: DVSA fee tables on gov.uk, page updated 27 January 2025.
Does booking a theory test online cost extra?
No. Booked through the official DVSA service on gov.uk, a car theory test costs £23 and nothing more. There is no booking fee and no card surcharge. gov.uk states that unofficial websites usually charge more than the published prices. If a site quotes anything above £23 for a car theory test, you are on a reseller, not the DVSA.
What is the theory test certificate validity period?
Two years from the date you pass. If you do not pass your practical test within those two years, your theory pass expires and you must take and pay for the theory test again. Plan your lesson schedule to leave enough time for the practical, especially in 2026 with extended DVSA test waiting times.
References
- DVSA / gov.uk: Theory test for cars: cost, format, pass mark. https://www.gov.uk/book-theory-test (accessed April 2026)
- DVSA / gov.uk: Practise your theory test (free questions). https://www.gov.uk/take-practice-theory-test (accessed April 2026)
- DVSA Safe Driving for Life: Official DVSA Theory Test Kit and learner materials. https://www.safedrivingforlife.info/ (accessed April 2026)
- RAC: Drive advice on theory test booking and warnings about third-party sites. https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/ (accessed April 2026)
- DVSA Statistics: Driving test and theory test data: cars (table DRT111C, data to March 2026). https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/driving-test-and-theory-test-data-cars (accessed August 2026)
- DVSA: The Highway Code (free online edition). https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code (accessed April 2026)
- DVSA / gov.uk: Driving test cost: fee tables for cars, lorries, buses, motorcycles and other vehicles (page updated 27 January 2025). https://www.gov.uk/driving-test-cost (accessed September 2026)
- DVSA / gov.uk: Become a car driving instructor: ADI part 1 theory test fee (page updated 24 February 2026). https://www.gov.uk/become-car-driving-instructor (accessed September 2026)
- DVSA / gov.uk: Theory test: booking requirements and rebooking rules. https://www.gov.uk/theory-test (accessed September 2026)