The United Kingdom driving test is a test of competence that UK residents take in order to obtain a full Great Britain or Northern Ireland (car) driving licence or to add additional full entitlements to an existing one.[1] Tests vary depending on the class of vehicle to be driven. In Great Britain it is administered by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)[2] and in Northern Ireland by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA).[3]
The minimum age at which one can take a UK driving test is currently 16 for mopeds and 17 for cars (16 for those on the higher/enhanced rate of the mobility component of DLA or PIP[4]). There is no upper age limit. In addition to a driving licence, a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificate may be required before a moped or motorcycle is ridden.[5]
Around 1.6 million people sit the practical car test each year, with a pass rate of around 43%. The theory test has a pass rate of around 50%.[6] To become a category B (car) licence holder, candidates pay £23 for the theory test and £62 (£45.50 in Northern Ireland[7]) for the practical driving test.[8]
- ^ "Road Traffic Act 1988 s.89".
- ^ "About us". Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.
- ^ "Welcome". Driver & Vehicle Agency. Archived from the original on 22 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
- ^ "Vehicles you can drive". Retrieved 13 October 2015.
- ^ United Kingdom Government, Directgov. 2008. - "If you obtained a full car licence before 1 February 2001 you do not need to complete a CBT to ride a moped in Great Britain."
- ^ Butcher, Ben (3 December 2018). "Is the driving test getting more difficult?". BBC News. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ "Driving test fees | nidirect". www.nidirect.gov.uk. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ "Driving test costs". GOV.UK. Retrieved 10 November 2018.