Join the conversation
We love to hear from our customers. Connect with us today and let’s start a conversation.
How To Book Your Driving Test: Practical & Theory
Once you feel ready to tackle the theory test from hours of revision, or a large number of driving lessons making you ready for your practical, the next steps is to book those tests respectively.
Booking your driving test, whether it's the practical or theory, doesn’t have to be stressful.
Whilst there’s many aspects to consider when booking your test(s), the process is seamless once you know what’s what.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about booking your driving tests, ensuring you're ready to hit the road with confidence!
Preparation for driving tests
Before you even think of booking your tests, make sure you’re actually ready to sit whatever test it is you’re preparing for.
Take the time to assess your knowledge for the theory test or your driving skills for the practical exam.
Rushing into either can lead to unnecessary stress and even failure, so it’s essential to feel confident and fully prepared before you commit to a test date.
Theory test tips
Thorough preparation for your theory test is key in passing the exam.
Our comprehensive theory test guide outlined the following as key factors with your preparation:
- Understand Format of Theory Test
- Get to Know the Highway Code
- Use the Official Practice Tools
- Nail the Hazard Perception
- Relax and Keep Your Composure
- Revise in Advance
- Get a Good Night’s Sleep
- Arrive Early and Bring What You Need
Click below to explore the full guide on how to manoeuvre your theory test!
Practical test tips
Much like the theory test, you will need to be ready for the roads before booking your practical driving test.
Once your theory is passed and you do feel road ready, you should consider the following to prepare yourself for the practical test:
- Familiarise yourself with the test routes
- Ensure proper mirror use
- Stay calm and focused
- Practice manoeuvres
- Keep your speed management under control
- Take mock tests
Our full comprehensive guide covers the above in greater detail, so click below to understand the best ways to prepare for your practical test.
DVSA theory & practical test prices
The price for a standard car theory test is £23 on both weekdays and weekends, including bank holidays.
Pricing for a practical car test is £62 on weekdays, with evenings, weekends and bank holidays being priced at £75.
For a full breakdown of test prices including motorcycle, commercial, and tractor tests, visit gov.uk today.
Where do I book my theory test?
To book your theory test, you can visit gov.uk online.
Once you click ‘Start Now’, you will need your UK driving licence number, email address, and your credit or debit card to pay.
Once you’ve provided your important details, select a date and time that suits you then pay to confirm your test date.
Where do I book my practical driving test?
You can book your practical driving test by also visiting gov.uk online.
You must have passed your theory test before booking your practical driving test, so if you haven’t already, focus on passing the theory test before considering booking your practical test.
If you want to have your driving instructor present throughout the driving test, check your instructor’s availability and provide your instructor’s personal reference number when booking the test.
What time should I book my test?
For booking either your theory or practical test, it’s really just dependent on what time of the day you feel you’re at your most optimal.
A theory test can be easily drawn to any exams you have sat prior – if you feel like you function better in the morning, try go for a morning slot. Same goes for if you’re better later on in the day.
When it comes to a practical test, the most popular times for drivers are mid-to-late morning and early afternoon. This is because these times are typically when the roads are the quietest, meaning less traffic to deal with during that all important test drive.
Weekdays can be preferable over weekends, also due to the roads being typically less busy.
However, as mentioned previously, if you feel like peak times don’t negatively affect driving capabilities, don’t be afraid to go for the earlier morning, later afternoon time slots or even the weekend.
Booking an intensive driving course
Booking an intensive driving course is a great option if you’re eager to pass your test quickly or don’t have the time for weekly lessons.
These courses are designed to fast-track your learning by condensing everything into a short period, typically ranging from one to two weeks, depending on your experience level.
When booking an intensive course, you should look to choose a reputable driving school that offers tailored packages based on your current skill level.
Whether you're a beginner or someone who just needs to polish up before the test, there are different course lengths to suit your needs.
Most intensive courses include both lessons and the driving test at the end, so you'll have everything planned out for you.
Once you’ve found the right course, booking is easy – find and contact the right centre for you, select your dates, then get stuck in on the lessons you’ve booked.
What to do once you’ve passed your practical
Once you’ve tackled your theory then eventually your practical driving test, you will be raring to get out on the road yourself if possible.
First, you’ll need to sort out car insurance before hitting the road. Take the time to compare quotes from various providers to find the best deal that suits your needs, whether you’re a new driver or adding yourself to a family policy.
Once your insurance is sorted, it's time to consider getting your own car. Think about what type of vehicle suits your driving style and budget – whether it's a reliable used car or something new.
Make sure to factor in the cost of maintenance, tax, and fuel when making your decision.
Once you’ve got these essentials in place, you’re ready to enjoy the freedom of driving!