The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has published updated guidance explaining how candidates can claim expenses when theory or practical driving tests are cancelled with less than three full working days’ notice. The rules apply across England, Scotland and Wales and cover a range of costs linked directly to a cancelled test.
The clarification comes as the DVSA continues efforts to manage disruption within the driving test system. According to figures cited by the agency, nearly 1.5 million car theory tests were taken during the 2025–26 financial year, with 671,000 candidates passing, giving a pass rate of 44.9 per cent.
Theory Test Candidates Can Recover Travel Costs and Lost Earnings
According to guidance published by the DVSA on 1 June 2026, theory test candidates can apply for compensation if the agency cancels a test with less than three full working days’ notice. Working days are defined as Monday to Saturday, excluding Sundays and bank holidays.
Eligible claimants can seek reimbursement for travel costs to and from the test centre, including public transport fares, taxi costs, fuel and parking charges. Candidates who travelled using their own vehicle, or received a lift, can claim 25 pence per mile for journeys made on the day of the cancelled test.
The guidance also allows claims for lost pay or earnings where unpaid leave was taken specifically for the test appointment. According to the DVSA, refunds are limited to up to half a day of standard take-home pay, meaning net earnings after deductions such as income tax and National Insurance.
Applicants must provide supporting evidence from their employer confirming both the unpaid leave and half a day’s net pay. The agency states that payslips, bank statements, timesheets, employment contracts and P60 forms cannot be used as evidence.
The DVSA also specifies circumstances in which claims will not be accepted. These include cancellations caused by bad weather and situations where the candidate was unable to attend, such as illness on the day of the test.
Separate Arrangements Apply to Practical Driving Tests
A separate claims process exists for practical driving tests cancelled at short notice. According to the DVSA, eligible expenses can include the use of an instructor’s vehicle, vehicle hire costs, fuel expenses for candidates using their own vehicle, and lost earnings from unpaid leave.
For car driving tests cancelled at short notice, the agency will refund the cost of up to two hours of lessons or training at the instructor’s standard hourly rate when an instructor’s vehicle was booked. Candidates must provide a receipt showing the instructor’s hourly rate, signature, personal reference number, telephone number and the date of the cancelled test.
The guidance also allows claims of up to £76 for a hired vehicle used on the test date. If the hire cost was lower than that amount, reimbursement is limited to the amount actually paid.
GB News reported that the DVSA has recently introduced broader measures aimed at improving access to practical driving tests. These include restrictions on third-party resellers and changes that allow only learner drivers to book and manage practical test appointments. From 9 June, further rules will limit test moves to the three nearest test centres to the original booking.
In both theory and practical test cases, candidates must submit claims within six months of the cancelled appointment. The DVSA says applicants will usually receive a decision within six weeks, with successful payments issued by cheque.
