Taking a theory test if you have special requirements
The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) provides a number of facilities for people with special requirements. You should tell DVA about your special needs when you book your theory test to allow for reasonable changes to be made.
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 contact DVA 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.
If you tell DVA by email, include ‘face covering exemption’ in the subject line. Add your name, driving licence number and theory test details to the email.
If you do not get a reply to your email, you must contact DVA’s Customer Service Centre by telephone, at least three clear working days before your test, to make sure that arrangements are in place to deliver your test.
You can also tell DVA by telephone.
You may not be able to take your test at the test centre of your choice.
You can find DVA’s driving theory test booking contact details at the link below.
Voiceover assisted tests
You can ask for a voiceover in one of seven languages if:
- your first language is not English
- you cannot read or understand written English well
How the theory test voiceover works
A voiceover lets you hear the theory test instructions and questions through headphones.
The questions will be read out to you automatically. You can hear the possible answers by clicking on the text on the screen.
You can hear the questions as many times as you like – just click on the text of the question again.
Voiceovers are available in the following languages:
- Arabic
- Cantonese
- English
- Farsi
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Turkish
Interpreter assisted tests
If there is no voiceover for the language you need, you can have an interpreter assisted theory test.
The call centre agent will provide you with the name and contact details of the relevant DVA approved interpretation agency.
You have to arrange a test date with the interpretation agency and pay any fees they charge.
You may not be able to take your test at the test centre of your choice.
Facilities if you have reading difficulties
If you have dyslexia or other reading difficulties you can ask for an English voiceover.
You can also request to have up to double time for the multiple choice part of the theory test.
You must provide proof of your reading difficulty to the theory test customer services section.
Facilities if you have hearing difficulties
If you are deaf or have hearing difficulties you can ask to take the theory test in British Sign Language (BSL). The BSL interpretation will run alongside the standard test questions and answers.
If you do not use BSL, an interpreter can be taken into the test centre. This facility needs to be arranged through the theory test customer services section.
There is no extra fee for either facility.
Contact theory test customer services
For more information on these facilities you can contact DVA’s driving theory test booking team at the link below.
Other special requirements
If you have a special need that is not met by any of these facilities, you should contact DVA. You can then tell DVA about your needs and find out what other facilities might be available to you.