Following the NI Executive’s review of COVID-19 restrictions, driving theory tests will resume on Friday 23 April 2021. See below for more details.
Driving theory tests from 26 December 2020 until 22 April 2021, inclusive have been suspended. Instead of cancelling your test, DVA have rescheduled it for 60 days later, into a temporary placeholder appointment.
If your theory test was rescheduled into a temporary placeholder appointment, you will be contacted again shortly letting you know how to reschedule this appointment.
The online booking service will be temporarily unavailable to allow DVA to reschedule bookings for customers whose theory test appointment was cancelled because of COVID-19 restrictions. The booking service will reopen to all theory test customers on Monday 26 April 2021.
When the booking service resumes DVA will increase the number of daily appointments available for booking, through longer opening hours and an extra temporary test centre in Ballymena.
The DVA apologises for the inconvenience that this may cause to customers.
Wearing a face covering at your test
You must wear a face covering at your test. If you do not wear one, you must have a good reason, for example:
- you have a physical or mental illness, impairment or disability
- wearing it would cause you severe distress
Wearing glasses does not count as a good reason.
Read here for more information on face coverings
If you cannot wear a face covering
After you’ve booked your test online, you must email DVA at the email address below to say why you cannot wear a face covering. If you do not, and you come to your test without a face covering, your test will be cancelled.
Include ‘face covering exemption’ in the subject line. Add your name, driving licence number and theory test details to the email.
You may not be able to take your test at the test centre of your choice.
DVA theory test booking support email:
customercare@pearson.com
You cannot contact the DVA theory test booking telephone number because of coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions.
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 an MOT centre or directly from DVA by calling 0300 200 7861.
NI residency
If you want to take a theory or practical driving test in Northern Ireland, it is a legal requirement that 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 complete a residency declaration form and send it to DVA with proof you are resident in Northern Ireland.
Book online
The quickest and easiest way to book your official DVA car, motorcycle, lorry or bus driving theory test is online. When you book using this service, you only pay the cost of the test – there’s no extra booking fee.
To book a theory test online you’ll 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) - test fees
- a valid email address to receive a booking confirmation (optional - if you do not have an email address, your booking confirmation will be sent to you by post)
Cancel or reschedule a test
You can reschedule or cancel a test online at:
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.
Theory test fees
Comments and complaints
To comment on or complain about the online booking service, you can contact:
email: customercare@pearson.com
Or you can write to:
Driver & Vehicle AgencyBooking Department
PO Box 1286
Warrington
WA1 9GN