Driving Tests (Covid-19)

Guidance
Coronavirus: driving tests
Driving tests are currently suspended for up to 3 months (from 20 March 2020) due to coronavirus. You can apply for an emergency test if you’re a critical worker.

Published 17 March 2020
Last updated 20 April 2020 — see all updates
From:Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Applies to: England, Scotland, and Wales (see guidance for Northern Ireland)
Contents

1. Stay up to date
2. If your driving test was cancelled
3. Apply for an emergency driving test if you’re a critical worker

Stay up to dateThis page tells you about the suspension of driving tests because of coronavirus.
It will be updated if anything changes.
Sign up for email alerts if this page changes.

Driving tests have been suspended to help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Check back for updates about when they’re available again, or sign up for email alerts.
There’s separate guidance about theory tests and coronavirus.

If your driving test was cancelledWhat happens next will depend on what type of test you had booked.
If you had:

• a car driving test booked, it will be rebooked for a new date
• a motorcycle, lorry, bus, tractor or approved driving instructor (ADI) test booked, it will not be rebooked for you - you’ll get a full refund and have to book again later

Car driving testsYou’ll get an email to tell you when your car driving test has been rebooked.
It will tell you the new date and time of your test.
You will not get this email immediately - it should arrive around 2 weeks before your original test date.
It’s likely that your new test date will be around 3 months after your original date.
If you want to cancel your car driving testYou can cancel your test if you want to get a full refund now. Email the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to request this.
You need to include your full name and 2 of the following pieces of information:

• your driving licence number
• your theory test pass certificate number
• your driving test booking reference

DVSA customer services
[email protected]
Other types of driving testsIf you had booked any other types of test (for example, a motorcycle or lorry test), the test will be cancelled and you’ll get a full refund.
You’ll then need to book another test when the booking service is available again.
You cannot book a future driving test dateYou cannot currently book a new driving test.
When driving tests start again, people who had their test cancelled will be given priority. This means you’ll have to wait longer than usual.
Check back for the latest updates, or sign up for email alerts.
If your theory test certificate expires soonLegally, your theory test certificate cannot be extended in any circumstances.
You’ll need to book and pay to take another theory test.
You need to pass this before you can book your driving test.
Apply for an emergency driving test if you’re a critical workerYou can apply for an emergency test if your work is critical to the coronavirus response.
This includes if you work in:

• health and social care
• education and childcare
• key public services
• local and national government
• food and other necessary goods
• public safety and national security
• transport
• utilities, communication and financial services

You must be ready to take your test at short notice when you apply.

You must have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the last 12 months before the day you take your driving test.
You cannot use this service to apply for emergency compulsory basic training (CBT). CBT is a training course that’s provided by motorcycle training schools.

How to applyEmail DVSA to apply for an emergency driving test.
To need to include:

• your telephone number
• your preferred test location
• the type of driving test you would like to take (car, motorcycle, lorry, bus or coach)
• your driving licence number
• the driving test reference number (if you have one)
• your theory test certificate number

You must also attach an image of one of these:

• your work ID badge
• evidence from your employer, such as a screenshot of an email with your work email address or scanned document including the company letterhead

Emergency driving tests
[email protected]
If your application is successful, DVSA will contact you to explain what happens next.
Do not resend your request if you’ve already sent an email. DVSA will contact you as soon as they can.