Theory test certificates on driving tests

In our email update on Monday (17 August) we asked you to make sure your pupils brought their theory test certificates to their driving test.

We wanted to confirm that your pupils should still bring their theory test certificates if they have a paper version.

However if they can’t find it, they don’t need to order a replacement before coming to test.

Valid certificate

Your pupils will still need to have a valid theory test certificate before booking and taking their test.

If they don’t have a valid theory test pass, they should not attempt to take their test. The driving test pass will not be valid and they will not be given a full licence. 

Find more information about what to bring when taking a driving test on GOV.UK.

Motorcycle tests

Motorcycle module 1 and module 2 candidates will need to bring their theory test certificate before they take their test.

Restarting driver and rider testing: update

We let you know that we were restarting testing and training in a phased approach. Here’s an update on some of the main areas.

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Theory test availability

We’ve reopened most of our theory test centres in England, Scotland and Wales. 

In England and Wales, we’ve worked with Pearson VUE to change the 2 metre social distancing rule to 1 metre with risk mitigations in place. This means we’re now able to offer more appointments and reduce waiting times.

We will also work with the devolved administration in Scotland to continue to offer more appointments as soon as we can.

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Driving test availability

We’ve opened 291 out of 307 driving centres in England – up from 290 since we updated you on 7 August 2020.

31 out of 35 test centres in Wales have reopened today (17 August).

When candidates arrange a test, they can see available appointments within the next 6 weeks. We’re not taking bookings any further in advance at the moment. This is so we can react quickly to any changes in government guidance about coronavirus.

Test centres in Scotland remain closed, except for motorcycle tests and critical workers. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 advice from the Scottish Government.

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Emailing candidates to arrange their test

Over 210,000 driving tests were put on hold due to coronavirus. We have now emailed all candidates in England and Wales to ask them to rearrange their test – over 170,000 candidates in total.

Some of the email addresses given on bookings did not work, so we’re sending text messages or letters to those affected so they can rearrange their test.

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DVSA customer service centre

Our customer service centre is still receiving an extremely high number of calls and emails.

We’re sorry for the delays in getting through, but please help us by only calling if absolutely necessary.

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Emergency tests for critical workers

We announced that the services to apply for emergency theory tests and driving tests for critical workers closed on Friday 14 August.

We have now invited all critical workers in England, Scotland and Wales to either:

• book a new test, if they did not have one cancelled due to coronavirus
• rearrange their cancelled test

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Returning to the UK

If you or your pupil have entered the UK in the last 14 days, you must not go to a driving test unless you:

• arrived from a country on the ‘travel corridor’ list
• belong to one of the groups who do not have to self-isolate

The government keeps the conditions in countries on the travel corridor list under review, and it is regularly updated. 

France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks and Caicos Islands and Aruba have now been removed from the list.

Check the list regularly for the latest information.

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Valid theory test certificates checks

As part of our normal ID and eligibility checks our driving examiners are checking for valid theory test certificates.

If your pupil does not have a valid certificate the test will not go ahead.

If your pupil has lost or damaged their certificate they can apply for a replacement letter by contacting customercare@pearson.com. They’ll need to provide their:

• name
• address
• date of birth
• driving licence number

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More information

Check GOV.UK for the latest about:

• theory tests
• driving tests
• instructor guidance

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Daily update from GOV.​UK.

Car driving tests  

Coronavirus: driving tests

Page summary
Check when driving tests and motorcycle tests restart in England, Scotland and Wales, and find out what changes to expect when you take your test.

Change made
Updated the section about rearranging your cancelled test, as emails have now been sent to everyone in England and Wales. Removed the section about people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from coronavirus, as shielding has now been paused in England, Scotland and Wales.

Emergency driving test application service to close

The online service to apply for an emergency driving or theory test if you’re a critical worker has closed today (14 August 2020).

Inviting critical workers to book a test

We’ll continue to provide emergency tests to critical workers who have already successfully applied for a driving test. We’ll email them to invite them to arrange a test appointment online as soon as possible.

When critical workers book their test they will be able to see all available appointments for the next 6 weeks.

Limiting the booking window to 6 weeks allows us to respond to any change to COVID-19 government guidance on a national and local level.

When the booking service will reopen

At present the booking system remains closed to all new non-critical tests. We’ll let you know when we are reopening the service for everyone. This includes people who:

• have now taken a test that was originally cancelled due to coronavirus, but failed and need to retake their test
• are taking a test for the first time

Until we reopen the booking service to the general public, only critical workers who have been invited to book a test can use it.

Tests for non-critical workers should not booked.

We’ll monitor tests booked for non-critical workers and we’ll cancel any that do not match our records.

Why the critical worker service is closing

Since we introduced the emergency test service the situation has changed significantly.

The crucial need to provide NHS staff and ambulance drivers with a driving test to support the government response to the pandemic has eased.

Public transport is now much more readily available, and people are allowed to share cars with appropriate measures in place, in most of the UK.

The country is going back to work.

To help us return our services to normal, we need to move away from offering tests exclusively to critical workers and reopen our services to the general public.

We will update you again once the date for reopening the online booking service to the general public has been confirmed.

More information

Check GOV.UK for the latest about:

• theory tests
• driving tests
• instructor guidance

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