Driving tests are suspended for three months in the UK amid coronavirus, except for people who are considered key workers – such as NHS employees, supermarket staff, postal workers and more. Coronavirus driving test guidance is constantly being reviewed and updated. Here’s what we know.
If you had a driving test booked pre-coronavirus and your test date falls within current and extended lockdown measures, you will receive an email from the DVSA notifying you that your original driving test has been cancelled and will automatically be rebooked.
The latest coronavirus driving test guidance states that you will NOT receive the email immediately. The email should arrive approximately two weeks before your original test date.
Your new driving test date is estimated to be approximately three months after your original test date, according to the latest coronavirus driving test guidance.
Cancelling a driving test
If you want to cancel a driving test and get a full refund, you can. You will need to email the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) directly to cancel, or if you booked using the Book Theory Test Today service, contact us and we will cancel your test on your behalf.
Whether you contact the DVSA directly or cancel through us, you will need to provide your full name and two of the following pieces of information:
- your driving licence number
- your theory test pass certificate number
- your driving test booking reference
To cancel directly with the DVSA, you can email [email protected]
If you had another type of driving test booked, i.e. for a motorcycle or lorry, your test will be cancelled and a full refund issued. However, coronavirus driving test guidance states that non-car driving tests will NOT be automatically rebooked and you will need to rebook one driving test booking services resume.
Booking a driving test
Driving test bookings are currently not being taken, neither by us or the DVSA – except emergency bookings for key workers. Once normal booking services do resume, people who had their test cancelled due to coronavirus will be given first priority. This means that when you are able to book a test, you will have to wait longer for a test date.
Book a driving test as a key worker
If you’re considered to be a key worker in any of the following sectors…
- 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
… then you can apply for an emergency driving test, according to the latest coronavirus driving test guidance.
To apply, you will need to email the DVSA directly or contact us and we can book on your behalf. The following information will be required:
- your telephone number
- your preferred test location
- the type of driving test you would like to take (car, car and trailer, motorcycle, lorry, bus or coach)
- your driving licence number
- the driving test reference number (if you have one)
- your theory test certificate number
In addition to the above information, you will need to send a scanned image of a valid form of ID, for example your work badge. If you do not have an ID badge, you can send:
- an email from a work email address
- evidence from your employer, such as an email or scanned document including company letterhead
- a scan of your payslip
The list is not exhaustive and evidence provided will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
To apply directly with the DVSA, you can email[email protected] or you can contact us to apply on your behalf, saving you valuable time.
If your emergency driving test application is successful, you will be notified of what happens next.
Preparing for your driving test with Book Theory Test Today
Why not use the coronavirus lockdown to prepare for your driving test? Our online resources include videos, blogs and downloads, which are free to use. Get top tips on how to prepare for and pass a driving test.
