Answers

1. How do I book my test?
   
   

By telephone
You may book most* categories of test by telephone and pay with a credit/debit card.

Vehicle test 0845 247 2471
Practical driving test 0845 247 2472
Driving theory test 0845 600 6700

Calls are charged at local rate and are recorded for quality assurance purposes. When making a telephone booking you do not need an application form but it is advisable to have the following handy:

Vehicle test
Your log book, current test certificate and credit/debit card details.

Practical driving test
Driver number and credit/debit card details. You must have passed a theory test.

Driving theory test
Provisional license and credit/debit card details.

*we are unable to offer HGV or PCV categories of test by telephone at present.

By post
You may book any test by post. You will need to complete an application form and send it in with the appropriate fee. Applications for vehicle and practical driving tests should be sent to the test centre at which you would like the test carried out. Theory test applications should be sent to the Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency, Booking Department, PO Box 381, Manchester, M50 3UW

At the counter
You may book a vehicle or practical driving test in person at any vehicle test centre.

The Belfast centre is open for booking from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
All other centres are open from 8.45am to 12.30pm and 1.15pm to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Online
Please see Booking panel on Top Right Hand Side of screen

You should contact us if you do not receive an appointment letter within 10 days of application

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2. How much does the test cost?
   
   

Click on relevant link below:

View Vehicle Test Fees (opens new window)

View Practical Driving Test Fees (opens new window)

View Driving Theory Test Fees (opens new window)

View ADI Fees (opens new window)

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3. How quickly can I get a test?
   
   

A range of test appointments is often available but we cannot always meet requests for specified times. Tell us when booking which dates suit you. Please click on waiting times on the Home Page for details of our current maximum waiting times but always enquire about earlier appointments if you need one. It may be possible to give you a cancellation or short notice appointment.

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4. If I can't get a suitable date, how can you help?
   
   

We advise customers to submit their application in good time (at least 4 weeks before expiry of current certificate) but appreciate that this is not always possible. You can get advice on making a booking by calling our helpline on 0845 6014 094 or following the guidance below.

• First of all take the appointment offered even if it does not suit you. It is much easier for our staff to find you an alternative appointment if you have paid your fee and your details are on our system.
  
  
• You can check for a cancellation at any time. The telephone number for vehicle tests is 0845 247 2471 and for practical driving tests is 0845 247 2472. Lines are open from 8.00am to 7.00pm(Monday to Friday) and from 9.00am to 1.00pm (Saturday). Our lines are busiest between 9.00 and 10.00 and you will have a much better chance of getting through at other times
  
  
• Some centres will have short notice appointments. These are generally released for booking at 9.00 each morning. These appointments are allocated on a first come - first served basis and can be obtained by telephone on the above numbers or by contacting the centre concerned. Alternatively you may apply in person at the appropriate centre. These appointments are often allocated within minutes of being released.
  
  
• If you have been unsuccessful in securing an earlier date and this is causing you particular difficulties (perhaps you are a health professional or have caring responsibilities), ask to speak to the manager at the centre you wish to use. He will consider each case on its merits and may be able to help you obtain an appointment. The centre manager will have to make a judgement about how he allocates any appointments that become available. Please remember that others may be in greater need or may have applied before you did.
  
  
• If the centre manager cannot help you, you should contact our customer services manager on 028 9068 1831. Our customer services manager cannot allocate you a test but will try to assist you in obtaining one. Again, each case will be treated on its merits and it may be necessary for others to be given a higher priority.
  
  

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5. Can I check what dates are available?
   
   

Vehicle tests 0845 247 2471
Practical driving test 0845 247 2472
Driving theory test 0845 600 6700

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6. Can I cancel my test appointment?
   
   

Yes, provided you give one clear day's notice for vehicle tests and three clear days' notice for driving tests (practical and theory). Clear days exclude Saturday, Sunday and public and bank holidays. Easter Tuesday counts as a public holiday but Good Friday does not. These days also exclude the date on which you tell us you wish to cancel and the date of the test.

Example: (One clear day's notice) if you wish to cancel a vehicle test for a Tuesday, you must tell us by the previous Friday. We will only refund your fee if you give enough notice of the cancellation.

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7. If I fail to attend for my test, what happens?
   
   

If you do not cancel your test (you need to give one clear day's notice for vehicle tests and three clear days' notice for driving tests) and you do not attend, you will lose your fee. You will have to pay again to have the test carried out. In very exceptional circumstances, you may be entitled to reclaim your lost fee - you need to submit a claim along with supporting evidence as to why you did not attend to the relevant test centre manager.

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8. If I lose my vehicle test certificate, can I obtain a duplicate?
   
   

If you lose your certificate, you can apply for a duplicate. There is a fee for this service. You can obtain a duplicate by using our telephone booking service on 0845 247 2471 with credit/debit card payment. Alternatively, you can apply by completing an application form. Send your application and fee to our Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency Headquarters, Balmoral Road, Belfast, BT12 6QL.

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9. If there is a change of ownership or I re-register my vehicle, is my certificate still valid?
   
   

If the vehicle is re-registered because of a change in registration or ownership, your certificate remains valid, unless vehicle is being used for public service, then you must apply for a PSV test in your name.

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10. Can I check if a MOT/PSV Certificate was issued by DVTA and is therefore legal?
    
    

Contact the Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency Headquarters on 028 9054 7913 and ask that a check be made on the vehicle registration and serial number of the certificate. If you are advised that the certificate may not be genuine, you may:

(a)Take your certificate to your local police station and ask them to investigate, or
(b)Forward the certificate to the Driver & Vehicle Testing Agency, Customer Services, Balmoral Road, Belfast, BT12 6QL, and we will contact the police and request an investigation.

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11. How do I make a complaint?
    
    

If you are not satisfied with the service you receive, you can use our complaints procedure. Please ask at the test centre for a leaflet. If you are unhappy about any aspect of our service, please try to resolve it before you leave the test centre.

View Complaints Procedure and Further Information (pdf 179kb, opens new window)

View Chinese Complaints Procedure and Further Information (pdf 179kb, opens new window)

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12. How do I become an Approved Driving Instructor?
    
    

Refer to our ADI Section. View Approved Driving Instructor (opens new window)

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13. What is a Vehicle Identity Check?
    
    

Refer to our Vehicle Testing section. View Vehicle Identity Checks (opens new window)

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