Last Updated on February 20, 2025
Once you think you’re ready to book your driving test, it’s only normal to feel a little anxious, after all this could be the making of a landmark date! But we’re here to tell you that once you know what to expect, you’ll be able to breeze through the booking process and get back to practising your driving.
Understanding the process of booking a driving test can make the entire experience much easier and potentially less stressful. Whether you’re a learner driver looking to secure your first test slot or a parent/guardian helping a dependent through the process, having the right information at hand is crucial. There are multiple factors that you need to consider, such as choosing the right test centre, understanding waiting times, and knowing what documents you need to have ready.
In this article we walk you through all the steps you’re going to take when booking your practical driving test, and what you should and shouldn’t do after the big day.
Contents
What is the practical driving test
How can i book a practical driving test?
How can I check local test availability
What times can I take a test?
Can I change my test date?
Can I take my driving test in my own car?
If I fail my test, what can I do?
Top tips for passing your test
What is the practical driving test?
The practical driving test is designed to assess your ability to drive a motor vehicle, in this case, a car. The driving test is also a legal requirement before obtaining a driving licence.
There are 5 parts to the driving test, including:
- An eyesight check
- ‘Show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
- General driving ability
- Reversing your vehicle
- Independent driving
The practical driving test is the same for both manual and automatic cars and will last around 40 minutes.
During your test, your examiner will assess how well you respond to different road conditions, including urban and rural areas. You may also be required to perform emergency stops, navigate roundabouts, and demonstrate awareness of other road users. If you make too many minor errors or a major error that could cause danger, you will fail the test. However, understanding the structure of the exam can help you feel more confident when your test day arrives.
If there’s a specific part of the driving test you would like to read more about, or you would like to know more in general check out Driving Test: What happens during the test.
How can I book a practical driving test?
Firstly, you must have passed your driving theory test before you can book a practical driving test. If you fail your theory test, you can have to wait three days before booking your next one. There are a few exceptions to this rule, including when upgrading from an automatic to a manual licence. When you’re ready, you can book your driving test online, or by telephone.
Before you begin to book your test, you’re going to need to grab a few things, including:
- Your UK driving licence number
- Credit or debit card number
- Driving instructors’ reference number, if you want to check their availability
Booking your driving test online is both quick and easy and can be quicker than booking by phone. The online booking service is available from 6 am – 11:40 pm and you can book your test up to 24 weeks in advance.
It is advisable to check test availability regularly, as cancellations often appear and can help you secure an earlier test date. You may also want to consult your driving instructor before booking, to ensure they are available on your chosen date. If you require additional support, such as an interpreter or accessible testing conditions, make sure to request this during the booking process.
Depending on the day and time you take your practical driving test the cost can vary, for example, evenings, weekends and bank holidays tend to cost more than weekdays.
If you encounter problems when you book your test, or there’s something you’re unsure of, you can email customerservices@dvsa.go.uk or call 0300 200 1122 between 8 am – 4 pm, Monday to Friday.
How can I check local test availability?
You can use the official website of the DVSA to check driving test availability in your area. To check, you will need your driving licence number, postcode and date of birth.
You can also check for earlier appointments, also known as ‘cancellation appointments’ after you have booked your driving test.
If you have previously booked a driving test and accidentally deleted the confirmation email, remember you can log in using your driving licence and driving test number to access your booking.
What times can I take a test?
Driving test times vary by test centre. And as we discussed earlier, the availability of driving test slots will likely vary depending on your local, or preferred test centre.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that different test centres may have different opening hours, so you should contact your specific driving test centre for their opening and closing times.
You can use the gov.uk website to find driving test centres near you to you, to this all you’ll need is your postcode.
If you can’t find a suitable driving test appointment, you can check back on the website over time as slots may become available due to other learners rescheduling.
In 2022, we conducted some research around driving test success rates by time, and it threw up some interesting results!
Can I change my test date?
Yes, changing your driving test date is possible if you are unable to attend the test on the scheduled date.
It’s important to be aware that you must give a minimum of 3 full working days’ notice or you’ll have to pay for your test again.
To change your test date, you will need to log into the DVSA website. Once you have logged in, you will see your upcoming test date and time. By clicking the “Change” button next to your appointment you will be able to see future available dates and times. All you need to do now is choose a new date and time that works for you and follow the instructions to confirm your change.
You can change your driving test booking up to 6 times. If you would like to make more than 6 changes to a booking, you will need to cancel your test and rebook it.
Can I take my driving test in my own car?
Yes, taking your driving test in your own car is possible in the UK. There are however certain rules about the car.
Your car must:
- have no warning lights showing, for example, the airbag warning light
- have no tyre damage and meet the legal tread depth on each tyre – you must not have a space-saver spare tyre
- be roadworthy
- be fitted with an extra interior rear-view mirror for the examiner
- be fitted with a passenger seatbelt and a passenger head restraint for the examiner (slip-on types are not allowed)
- be able to reach at least 62mph and have an mph speedometer
- be fitted with L-plates (‘L’ or ‘D’ plates in Wales) on the front and rear
- have 4 wheels and meet the maximum authorised mass (MAM) limit
Your car must also be taxed, have a current MOT (if it is over 3 years old) and be insured for driving, luckily, Collingwood Learner Driver Insurance covers you for your test.
We also created a blog article that tells you everything you need to know about taking a driving test in your own car, if that’s your preference.
If I fail my test, what can I do?
First of all, don’t panic! Over 50% of learners that took a driving test between April 2022 – March 2023 failed their test. Remember, you always have the option to rebook your driving test, you just need to be patient and select a date that is 10 working days away.
If you do fail, there are also some practical steps you can take to improve your chances of passing next time around.
First of all, review your driving test report that your examiner provided you. Identify the areas where your errors occurred and make a plan to practise those areas. You can also take additional driving lessons with your instructor and get some extra practise in your own, or a friend’s or family member’s car.
You may also wish to take your next test around a different route if there was something you found particularly tricky the first time around. Whilst the DVSA doesn’t provide specific test routes for you to practise, you’ll find lots of hints and tips on YouTube for particular test routes.
Top tips for passing your test
Download the RoadHow app: All Collingwood Learner Driver Insurance policyholders get free access to the premium version of RoadHow.
Read the Highway Code: Swat up on the Highway Code to ensure you know your road signs and road rules.
Get private practice: The DVLA encourages learner drivers to broaden their experience. That includes driving on country roads, driving independently and driving in the dark.
Get Learner Driver Insurance with Collingwood: Our learner insurance allows you to practise for your driving test in your own, or in a friend or family member’s car. Perfect for polishing up your parallel parking!
Practise regularly: The more you drive, the more confident and skilled you should become. Consistent practice in different driving conditions can help prepare you for the practical driving test.
Know your test routes: Familiarising yourself with common test routes in your area can give you a better understanding of tricky junctions, roundabouts, and speed limits that you may encounter in your test.
Stay calm and focused: It’s natural to feel nervous, but controlling your emotions can help you perform better on the day. Breathing exercises and mental preparation can be beneficial.
Master manoeuvres: Ensure you’re confident with parking, reversing, and emergency stops, as these may be a part of your driving test.
Check your mirrors frequently: Examiners assess your awareness, so make it a habit to check your mirrors and signal correctly before making any manoeuvres or decisions, no matter how big or how small.
Take a mock driving test: Simulating a mock test with your instructor can highlight any weak points and help build confidence for the big day.
Get a Learner Insurance Quote with Collingwood
Conclusion
Booking your driving test is a crucial step towards gaining your full driving licence, and being well-informed about the process can make it much smoother. From ensuring you have passed your theory test to securing a suitable test date, there are several steps to take. Keeping an eye on cancellations, understanding waiting times, and preparing for your test effectively will all help boost your chances of success.
Once you have booked your test, it’s essential to focus on consistent practice, learning from past mistakes, and building confidence on the road. Making use of available resources such as mock tests, professional driving lessons, and private practice sessions can greatly improve your performance.
Remember, failing a test is not the end of the road. Many learners need multiple attempts before passing, and each test provides valuable experience. Stay positive, keep refining your skills, and when the time comes, approach your test with confidence.
By following the guidance in this article, you’ll be well on your way to successfully booking and passing your practical driving test!
FAQs
Waiting times can vary depending on location and demand. It’s best to check the DVSA website for real-time availability. You can also monitor cancellations to get an earlier test date.
If you fail, you must wait at least 10 working days before booking another test. Use this time to practise and improve any areas where you struggled.
Yes, you can use your own car as long as it meets the DVSA’s requirements, including valid insurance, an MOT certificate (if applicable), and dual controls if needed.
You need your provisional driving licence, theory test pass certificate, and a car that meets the DVSA’s standards. Without these, your test may be cancelled.
Yes, you can change your test centre, but availability may be limited. You’ll need to log into the DVSA booking system to check for alternative test locations.
