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Do you need to take a driving theory test?
If you are a learner driver you must take and pass your theory test before you book your practical test. If you already have a driving licence you might not have to take another theory test if you want to start driving a different vehicle.
UK licence holders
You will need to take a theory test if you want a licence for a new category of vehicle, for example, if you have a car licence and you want a motorcycle licence you will need to take a theory test.
If, however, you want to upgrade within a vehicle category you will not normally need to take a theory test, for example, if you have a full automatic car licence and you want a manual car licence you will not have to take a theory test.
It is your responsibility to make sure you have the correct licence for the vehicle you are driving. If you are unsure if you need to take a theory test please contact the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) or the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Foreign licence holders
If you hold a valid Community licence and you are visiting Great Britain, you can drive any vehicle for as long as your licence remains valid. The appropriate full entitlement for the vehicle you wish to drive must be shown on your licence.
The EEA countries are as follows:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
Outside Europe
If you hold a full driving licence issued outside the EEA it may be possible to exchange it for an equivalent British licence. You should contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to find out if you can exchange your foreign licence.
If you cannot exchange your foreign licence you will have to apply for a British provisional licence and take a theory and practical test.
More useful links
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 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | | | How to book your theory and practical driving tests
The quickest and easiest way to book your car, motorcycle or instructor theory or practical driving test is to use the online booking service. However, you can also book by phone or by post.
Booking online
To book a test online you will need a:
- valid UK driving licence
- theory test certificate number (practical test booking only)
- valid debit or credit card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa Electron and Solo cards are accepted)
Booking by phone
To book a theory or practical test with an operator over the phone you'll need:
- a valid UK driving licence
- a valid debit or credit card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa Electron, Switch/Maestro and Solo cards are accepted)
Theory test
You can book a theory test over the phone using the numbers below, between 8.00 am and 4.00 pm from Monday to Friday (except on bank holidays):
- theory test booking line - 0300 200 1122
- Welsh language booking line - 0300 200 1133
- minicom booking line - 0300 200 1166
- fax booking line - 0300 200 1177
Practical test
You can book a practical test over the phone using the numbers below, between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm from Monday to Friday (except on bank holidays):
Advanced speech recognition (ASR) system
If you already have a practical test booking but would like an earlier date, you can access the Driving Standards Agency's advanced speech recognition (ASR) system by dialling the booking line and following the instructions.
ASR will enable you to change your practical test booking to an earlier date where available, without the need to speak with a call centre agent.
The system is available between 6.30 am and 6.00 am, seven days a week. You must have your theory test pass certificate number and your booking application reference number with you when you call. Dial 0300 200 1122 and follow the prompts.
Booking by post
To book a theory or practical test by post you'll need an application form. Application forms are available online or on request from the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) booking line. Payment can be made by cheque or postal order, but cash payments aren't accepted.
To download a theory or practical test application form, click on the link below. There is also an information sheet to download.
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