Travel - In N. Ireland

This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

The driving test

A driving test is made up of a theory test and a practical test. You cannot normally take the practical test without first having passed the theory test (but see under heading The theory test). You have to pay a fee for each part of the test (for details see under heading Fees).

Before you can apply for a test, you must have a valid Great Britain or Northern Ireland provisional driving licence.

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The theory test

The theory test is in two parts. The first is a computerised touch screen test in which you have to select the correct answer from a number of choices. The second part is called the hazard perception test. You will be shown a set of video clips of driving hazards and asked to click the mouse button as soon as you spot a hazard. You have to pass both parts of the theory test at the same sitting in order to pass.

If you have special needs, the Driving Standards Agency (in Northern Ireland, the Driver Vehicle Testing Agency) can make special arrangements.

Who does not have to take a theory test

You do not have to take a theory test if you:-

• want to upgrade your licence in the same category – for example, upgrade your car licence to be able to drive a car towing a large trailer
• have a licence to drive automatic cars and/or motorcycles and want to upgrade your licence to a manual gearbox for the same type of vehicle
• have passed a theory test and a practical moped test, and now want to upgrade to a motorcycle licence
• have full entitlement to drive certain motor vehicles – for example, motor tricycles, because you have a full motorcycle licence issued before 1 February 2001
• have a full licence for an invalid carriage.

Applying for a theory test

You can apply for the test:-

• in writing, by completing an application form available from theory test centres, driving instructors or the theory test booking line. The number of the booking line is 0870 010 1372 in England, Wales or Scotland (0870 010 0372 if you want to apply in Welsh) and 0845 600 6700 in Northern Ireland
• by phone on 0870 010 1372 (0845 600 6700 in Northern Ireland) using a credit or debit card
• by fax on 0870 010 4372 (not in Northern Ireland)
• online at www.dsa.gov.uk or, in Northern Ireland, www.dvtani.gov.uk.

You have to pay a fee for the test (see under heading Fees).

Candidates with special needs

If you have special needs, for example, dyslexia, deafness, need special physical access to the centre, or want to take the test in a language other than English, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), or in Northern Ireland, the Driver Vehicle Testing Agency (DVTA) can make arrangements. Indicate what your special needs are when you book the test.

If you are ill and have to cancel your theory test, you should normally send the DSA (DVTA in Northern Ireland) a doctor’s certificate within ten days of the test day if you want to be given another date without having to pay the fee again. Otherwise, you must pay another fee. You must give three working days notice to cancel for any other reason.

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The practical test

You cannot take the practical test until you have passed the theory test unless you are exempt (see under heading The theory test). The practical test will test your ability to exercise adequate control of your vehicle and normally lasts 40 minutes.

The practical test also includes two questions on vehicle safety, designed to make sure that you know how to check the safety of your vehicle. Topics covered are, tyres, brakes, fluids, lights, reflectors, direction indicators, and horns.

In England, Wales and Scotland only, you must have completed a course of compulsory basic training (CBT) before applying for a motorcycle test, and must show your CBT certificate when you take your practical test. Information on the CBT is available from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) on 0115 901 2595.

If you fail, or do not take the practical test within two years of having passed the theory test, you will have to pass the theory test again before you can apply for a practical test.

Applying for a practical test

You will have to pay a fee for the test (see under heading Fees). There is no fee for a test to drive an invalid carriage. You can apply for the test by phone and pay by debit or credit card, or by post and pay by cheque or postal order.

You can choose to take the test at any test centre but often the choice is determined by the driving instructor and the availability of the instructor’s car for the test.

Normally, you have to give a minimum of ten clear working days if you want to cancel your practical test without being charged a fee. If you are ill and have to cancel with less than ten days notice, you should send the DSA (DVTA in Northern Ireland) a doctor’s certificate within ten days of the test day if you want to be given another date without having to pay the fee again. Otherwise, you must pay another fee. The only other acceptable reason for a cancellation without your having to pay another fee is family bereavement.

If the DSA (DVTA in Northern Ireland) cancels your test because of bad weather, you will be offered another date and will not have to pay a further fee.

Candidates with special needs

The DSA (DVTA in N. Ireland) can make provision for a candidate with special needs if you ask when you book the test. If you are deaf, you can ask for the test to be carried out in stages to enable sufficient time for the examiner to give instructions. A friend or family member can act as an interpreter or signer and the examiner can allow stopping at safe places on route for the signer (who will sit in a rear seat) to communicate with you.

If you have a physical disability you may be asked to demonstrate any special controls on the vehicle in which you are being tested before the start of the test.

Practical test result

At the end of the practical test, the examiner will tell you whether you have passed or not.

If you fail the practical test, you can only appeal on the grounds that the test was not conducted in accordance with regulations.

When you have passed the practical test, in England, Wales and Scotland, if you have a photocard provisional licence and your personal details have not changed, you can hand it over to the examiner, and a full licence will be issued to you automatically. Otherwise, you must apply to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for your full licence within two years of the test date. If you don't do this, you will have to take the practical test (and the theory test) again.

When you pass the car or motorcycle only practical test you will be subject to a probationary period.

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Probationary period

When you pass your driving test for the first time you will be subject to a two year probationary period. This applies to anyone driving on a licence issued by the DVLA. The two year period begins on the day you first pass the practical test.

If during the probationary period, you are convicted of driving offences for which six or more penalty points are awarded, your driving licence will be revoked.

If your full driving licence is revoked, you will revert to learner status and be treated as if you never passed a driving test. To continue driving, you will have to get a provisional driving licence and drive with learner’s plates until you have passed both the theory and practical parts of the driving test.

You cannot appeal the revocation of your licence. However, if you appeal against the conviction or sentence which brought the number of penalty points up to 6 or more, you can apply to the DVLA to have your licence restored pending the result of the appeal. If the court notifies the DVLA that the sentence is under appeal, the full licence should be restored without a further test.

There is no minimum period for which the licence must be revoked. As soon as you have passed both the theory and practical parts of another driving test, you can apply for a new full licence. However, the penalty points will remain on the driver’s licence for four years from the date of your offence. After four years you can ask the DVLA (or DVLNI in Northern Ireland) to have them removed from your licence.

For more information about endorsements on your driving licence, see Driving licences.

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Disqualification

For some driving offences a court can disqualify you and/or order that you be re-tested. If the offence is very serious the court can order that you are ‘disqualified until test passed’ and that you must take a double-practical driving test known as an ‘extended driving test’. The fee to be paid for this test is higher than that for a normal test (see under heading Fees).

In England, Wales and Scotland only, a motorcyclist who is disqualified by a court will have to retake compulsory basic training (see under heading The practical test) in order to ride as a learner and will have to take the practical test.

For more information about disqualification and endorsements, see Driving licences.

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Pass Plus

Pass Plus is a voluntary training scheme for newly-qualified drivers in England, Wales and Scotland. It involves six lessons which cover, among other subjects, night driving, all-weather driving, and driving on motorways and dual carriageways. You have to pay a fee for attending but there is no test at the end of the course.

If you complete a Pass Plus course within twelve months of passing your test, you may be able to get a discount on your insurance. The discount is normally the equivalent of a one year no-claims bonus. Check with your insurer before taking the course to see whether or not this is available. You may also want to check with an insurance broker to see whether other insurers give a larger discount.

To book a place on a Pass Plus course, or for more information, contact the Driving Standards Agency Pass Plus section on 0115 901 2633.

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Fees

Fees in England, Wales and Scotland

Fees in Northern Ireland

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Complaints

Step one

If you want to complain about the way in which any part of your theory or practical test was administered, contact the test centre where you took the test. If you aren't satisfied with their response to your complaint, you should contact the Driving Standards Agency's customer services department on 0191 201 8161 or email them at customerservices@dsa.gov.uk. In Northern Ireland, you should contact the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency on 028 9068 1831 or email the Agency at dvta@doeni.gov.uk.

Complaints about the theory test in England, Wales and Scotland

If you want to complain about the theory test you should contact the Driving Standard Agencies

Driving Standards Agency
Customer Services
PO Box 381
Salford
M50 3UW
Tel: 0870 600 0067
Fax: 0870 010 4372
E-mail: customercare@pearson.com

Complaints about the practical test in England, Wales and Scotland

If you want to complain about the practical test in England and Wales, you should complain to the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

DSA
PO Box 280
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE99 1FP
Tel: 0870 0101 372
Fax: 0870 0102 372

In Scotland, write to:-

DSA
Haymarket House
8 Clifton Terrace
Edinburgh
EH12 5EX
Tel: 0131 529 8645
Fax: 0131 529 8589

Step two

If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your complaint about any general administration of the test you can write to the DSA chief executive at the DSA's headquarters or in Northern Ireland to the Driving Vehicle Testing Agency (see under heading Addresses for details).

Step three

You can ask one of the following to investigate your complaint:

• an independent complaints assessor. You would need to contact the DSA's chief executive at the DSA headquarters about this, or
• the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. You would need to ask your MP about this.

For more information about the ombudsman, in England, see How to use an ombudsman in England, in Wales, see How to use an ombudsman in Wales, in Northern Ireland, see How to use an ombudsman in Northern Ireland or in Scotland, see How to use an ombudsman in Scotland.

You can also contact your MP, or the Secretary of State for Transport if you are not happy with the outcome of your complaint.

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Addresses

Driving Standards Agency headquarters:-

Driving Standards Agency
Stanley House
56 Talbot Street
Nottingham
NG1 5GU
Tel: 0115 901 2500 (switchboard)
Website: www.dsa.gov.uk

Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency (Northern Ireland):-

DVTA
Balmoral Road
Belfast
BT12 6QL
Tel: 028 9068 1831
Website: www.dvtani.gov.uk

Secretary of State for the Transport

Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR
Tel: 020 7944 8300
Fax: 020 7944 6589

Driving Standards Agency area offices

London and the South East

PO Box 289
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 1WE
Tel: 020 7468 4712
Fax: 020 7468 4550

Northern

PO Box 280
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 1FP
Tel: 0191 201 8161
Fax: 0191 201 8010

Midlands and Eastern

PO Box 287
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 1WTB
Tel: 0121 697 6762
Fax: 0121 697 6750

Wales and Western

PO Box 286
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 1WA
Tel: 029 2058 1218
Fax: 029 2058 1050

Scotland

PO Box 288
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE99 1WD
Tel: 0131 529 8645
Fax: 0131 529 8589

The Driving Standards Agency office which has overall responsibility for theory tests is at:-

Driving Standards Agency

Theory Test Unit
Stanley House
56 Talbot Street
Nottingham
NG1 5GU
Tel: 0870 0101372
0870 010 6372(minicom)
0870 010 0372 (Welsh speakers)
Website: www.dsa.gov.uk

Telephone lines to book a theory test are open from 8.30am to 5pm from Monday to Thursday, and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Fridays. All calls are charged at local rates.

For more information about the Driving Standards Agency, the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency and the Vehicle Inspectorate see www.direct.gov.uk and click on Motoring.

You can contact the Driving Standards Agency's customer service unit at:-

Driving Standards Agency

Customer Service Unit
PO Box 148
Salford
M5 3SY
Tel: 0870 241 0204 / 0870 01 00 372 (Welsh speakers) / 0870 01 06 372 (minicom)
Fax: 0870 01 04 372

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