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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Motoring
    3. Learning to drive and new drivers
    4. Theory test

    Book, change or cancel your theory test appointment

    Theory test appointments can be booked and keeping to three clear working days' notice, can also be changed and cancelled online or by telephone.

    The driving licence you need

    Before you can take the theory test you need to have a valid provisional driving licence. You can apply for a provisional driving licence from Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA). You can get the DL1 application form from main Post Office branches or directly from DVA by calling the number at the link below.

    • Driver & Vehicle Agency - driver licensing

    NI residency

    If you want to take a theory or practical driving test in Northern Ireland, by law you must be normally resident in Northern Ireland. If you have a GB provisional licence and want to take a motorcycle, car, bus or lorry theory test here, before booking your test you will need to fill in a residency declaration form and send it to DVA with proof you are resident in Northern Ireland.

    • Residency Declaration form

    Book online

    You will need:

    • a valid UK driving licence with a Northern Ireland address
    • a valid debit or credit card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa Electron and Switch cards are accepted)
    • a valid email address to receive a booking confirmation 

    You can book your theory test online at:

    • Book your theory test online

    Cancel or reschedule a test

    You can reschedule or cancel a test online at:

    • Manage your theory test booking online

    Providing you give DVA three clear working days' notice, you can:

    • move or change your appointment
    • cancel your appointment
    • have a full refund of the test fee

    If you need to reschedule or cancel your test, you must allow at least three clear working days before your test date to avoid losing your fee. For example, to cancel a test booked for a Friday you must tell DVA on the previous Monday.

    Wearing a face covering at your test

    It is strongly recommended that you wear a face covering at your test.

    For more information visit: Reducing the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other respiratory infections

    Theory test fees

    You can find details of theory test fees at:
    • Driving test fees

    Comments and complaints

    To comment on or complain about the online booking service, you can contact:

    • Driver & Vehicle Agency - driving theory test booking

    More useful links

    • Driving theory test
    • Theory test centres
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    Theory test

    • About the driving theory test
    • Book your theory test online
    • Book, change or cancel your theory test appointment
    • Manage your theory test booking online
    • Preparing for the theory test
    • Taking the theory test
    • Taking the theory test if you have special requirements
    • Theory test centres

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