Getting a driving test in 2026 works differently from a year ago. DVSA has brought in new booking rules to stop resellers and bots, and the government has consulted on bigger changes for learners and drivers. Here is what has changed and what is still only a proposal, as of 28 October 2026.
Quick summary
- Only the learner can book, change or cancel their own car test (since 12 May 2026).
- You can change a booking twice at most (since 31 March 2026).
- You can only move a test to one of the 3 nearest test centres (since 9 June 2026).
- The median wait for a car test was 11.6 weeks in September 2026.
- Lower drink-drive limits and a minimum learning period are proposals only.
New driving test booking rules
| Since | Rule |
|---|---|
| 8 April 2025 | You must give 10 full working days’ notice to change or cancel a car test, or you lose the fee (theory tests: 3 working days). |
| 31 March 2026 | Each booking can be changed a maximum of 2 times. Changing the date, time or centre, or swapping, each counts. |
| 12 May 2026 | Only the learner can book, change, swap or cancel their test. Driving instructors can no longer book for pupils, and unofficial slot-finding services are not allowed. |
| 9 June 2026 | You can only move your test to one of the 3 nearest centres, or back to your original centre. |
DVSA says it has cancelled more than 1,300 tests booked against the learner-only rule. New test slots are released at 6am every Monday, up to 24 weeks ahead. Book only on GOV.UK: anyone selling you a test slot is breaking the rules.
Test fees in 2026
| Test | Fee |
|---|---|
| Car theory test | £23 |
| Car practical test (weekday) | £62 |
| Car practical test (evening, weekend or bank holiday) | £75 |
| First provisional licence (online) | £34 |
| Photocard renewal every 10 years (online) | £14 |
Theory test: what to know
The car theory test has 50 multiple-choice questions in 57 minutes, and you need 43 to pass. Three questions are based on a short video clip. The hazard perception part has 14 clips, and the pass mark is 44 out of 75. You must pass both parts at the same sitting, and the pass certificate lasts 2 years. DVSA has also announced new questions on CPR and using a defibrillator.
Practise free with our new driving theory test practice: take a full 50-question mock test with a 57-minute timer, or quick 10-question rounds by topic, with explanations from The Highway Code.
Proposals that are not law yet
The Road Safety Strategy, published in January 2026, led to three consultations that closed on 11 May 2026. No decisions have been published yet, so none of these apply today:
- Minimum learning period: a wait of 3 or 6 months between passing the theory test and taking the practical test.
- Drink-drive limit: whether to lower the limit in England and Wales (currently 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, against 50mg in Scotland), and whether new drivers should have a lower limit.
- Penalty points: 3 points for not wearing a seat belt (today it is a £100 fine with no points), and tougher penalties for uninsured driving and failing to stop.
- Eyesight tests: compulsory eyesight checks for drivers aged 70 and over when they renew.
Digital driving licence
A digital driving licence in the GOV.UK Wallet has been promised for 2026, but GOV.UK says the Wallet cannot be downloaded or used yet. Keep carrying your photocard licence for now.
Buying your first car?
Before you buy a used car, run a free vehicle check to see its MOT history, mileage and tax status from official DVSA data.
Official sources: Changes to driving test booking rules in 2026, driving test costs and the theory test on GOV.UK.
This is general information. Rules and fees change, so always check GOV.UK before you book.
