Do you need to get a driving licence in the UK?
After knowing How Long It Takes To Learn To Drive and How Many Driving Lessons you need, you should know how much you are going to spend before applying for one.
It is essential to know what these costs are to help you prepare in advance.
Obtaining a driving licence in the UK can quickly become very expensive since there are several other expenses that go with the application.
Fortunately, this article will help you obtain information regarding the costs surrounding a driving licence in the UK.
You will learn about – how much is a provisional licence in the UK and how much are driving lessons in the UK.
Contents
The Cost of Driving Licence UK (How Much For Driving Licence)
Getting a licence starts with a provisional licence. Afterwards, you can get a full driving licence usually for free.
However, before you get a full driving licence you will have to pass the theory test and driving test, which also has fees.
Below you can find a detailed table summarising all the different costs associated with various types of driving licence in the UK.
The table also outlines fees for renewing and replacing licences.
The Cost of Driving Licence UK Table
| Type of Licence | Cost | Payment Method | Additional Costs |
| First Provisional Licence |
|
MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card | NA |
| Full Driving Licence |
|
MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card | £17.00 if you want to change your photo from a provisional licence |
| Renew Expired Driving Licence |
|
MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card | NA |
| Replace Lost, Stolen, Destroyed or Damaged Driving Licence |
|
MasterCard, Visa, Electron or Delta debit or credit card | NA |
How Much Is a Provisional Licence UK
A provisional licence will cost you £34.00 online and £43.00 if done via the Post.
You can apply for a provisional licence here, but do make sure to have your UK passport number, National Insurance number, or your residence addresses in the past three years.
Check out our guide to How To Fill In Your Application For A Driving Licence for further information.
How Much Are Driving Lessons UK?
Driving lesson prices vary depending on your driving school, but you can expect to pay between £20.00 to £50.00 per lesson, with the average price being £32.00.
However, you can get a discount if you opt for block lessons. With block driving lessons, learners can book their desired number of driving lessons according to their budget.
Learners can choose more or fewer lessons if they desire. Discounts range from £3.00 to £5.00 per lesson, depending on your block package.
For more information about finding the best driving school at the best budget, you can read our detailed 10 Best Driving School London article. This article shows the services, packages, and prices that are usually common in the UK as well.
How Much Is the Driving Test and Theory Test UK?
The Theory Test for cars is cheaper than the actual driving test, and each will cost you £23.00 and £62.00 respectively.
Moreover, keep in mind that the cost varies if the test is on weekdays or weekends and bank holidays. The cost also depends on the type of vehicle.
If you need to rebook your test or you failed the test, unfortunately, you will have to pay the same amount again.
Check the table below for the complete list of costs per test and vehicle.
Table of Driving Test and Theory Test UK Cost
| Test | Monday to Friday | Saturday and Sunday/ Bank Holiday/ Evening test |
| Car | ||
| Theory test | £23 | £23 |
| Driving test | £62 | £75 |
| Extended driving test for disqualified drivers | £124 | £150 |
| Lorry, minibus, bus and coach | ||
| Driver CPC part 1a: theory – multiple-choice questions | £26 | £26 |
| Driver CPC part 1b: theory – hazard perception | £11 | £11 |
| Driver CPC part 2: case studies | £23 | £23 |
| Driver CPC part 3a: off-road exercises | £40 | £40 |
| Driver CPC part 3b: on-road driving | £115 | £141 |
| Driver CPC part 4: practical demonstration | £55 | £63 |
| Motorcycle and moped | ||
| Theory test | £23 | £23 |
| Module 1 motorcycle test (off-road) | £15.50 | £15.50 |
| Module 2 motorcycle test (on-road) | £75 | £88.50 |
| Extended test for disqualified riders (on-road) | £150 | £177 |
| Tractor and other specialist vehicles | ||
| Driving test | £62 | £75 |
What is the Average Cost of Learning to Drive and Getting a Licence?
It will differ on how many hours a learner plans to learn to drive.
However, it is recommended that you undergo 45 hours of driving lessons and 22 hours of practice before attempting your driving test.
Based on the number of hours above, and assuming the average price of driving lessons and the cost of each test and driving licence, the full cost of a driving licence UK is as follows:
- Provincial Licence: £34.00
- Driving Lessons: £1,440.00 (45 lessons x £32.00 average rate per lesson)
- Theory Test: £23.00
- Driving Test: £63.00 (not including possible fast track booking and driving test car hire, which can go up to £200.00.)
- After passing the driving test, you can get your first full driving licence online without fees. However, if you want to change the photo used for your provisional licence, you can change it for your full driving licence for £17.
- TOTAL: £1,560.00, WITH ADDED EXPENSES AT STEP NUMBER 4, £1,760.00
Frequently Asked Questions
Are driving licence UK online payments safe?
Yes, it is. Your details are kept secure and safe by the government.
Are there any additional charges for making online payments for a driving licence UK?
It will depend on your specific bank and any charges you might incur using their services.
Wrapping Up
In summary, the cost of a driving licence is not only based on the driving licence itself but with other expenses associated with it, including provisional licence, driving lessons, theory test, driving test, and rebooking fees.
What are your thoughts? If you have new information to share with us, please write a comment below in the comments section. We’d love to hear your experience, tips, or recommendations!
Further Reading for Driving in the UK.
- Driving in London is one of the best options if you plan to have a road trip within London.
- Pay attention to the Congestion Charge when driving in London.
- Want to drive in the UK legally? You need a driving licence first. Follow these Steps to Get a Driving Licence in the UK.
- Choose one of the Best Driving Schools in London if you decide to learn to drive and get a full driving licence.
- You may want to know How Many Driving Lessons You Need to Pass the Driving Test.
- How much time should I spend on learning to drive? Read our guide to How Long Does It Take To Learn to Drive.
- Applying for the driving licence, but don’t know how to fill in the form? Download INF1D Booklet and read our guide to solve the problem.
- After applying for your driving licence, you may want to track your driving licence and know whether it is legal to drive if your Driving Licence Has Not Arrived.
- After getting your driving licence, you may be happy to learn more about it. Check out our guide to UK Driving Licence Explained.
- Want to check your driving licence online? Check out our guide to How To Check Status Of Driving Licence.
- If you are unlucky Losing your driving licence, it is not the world’s end, follow our detailed guide to Lost Driving licence UK | How To Replace And Apply.
- Can’t find out your Driving Licence Number? Don’t worry about it, here is a step-by-step guide to How to Get Driving Licence Number if Lost.
- Unfortunately, you get a Private Parking Ticket, but you don’t know how to deal with it. Should you pay for it? Check out our guide to Do You Have To Pay Private Parking Tickets.
- You may want to buy Car Insurance but don’t know how to buy it. Check out our guide to A Comprehensive Guide on Car Insurance in the UK.
- Can’t Remember your Car Insurance Company? Check out our guide to Who Am I Insured With.
- If you forgot your Car Insurance Expiry Date and want to find it out, here is our guide to 5 Ways To Check your Car Insurance Expiry Date.
Hello!
I’m from Brazil and have recently moved to live in the UK. I already have my Brazilian driving license and I have been driving for the past 15 years. I know I ca use my Brazilian driving license for one year in the UK, but I would like to get a UK driving license, since I’ll be around for at least 4 years.
Do I need to take driving lessons too or can I just make the driving test? I’m trying to figure out how much I would need to spend to get an UK driving license.
Thank you.
Hello Cássio,
Hello! It’s great that you’re planning to get a UK driving license. When you move to the UK with a valid Brazilian driving license, you can use it for up to 12 months from the date you become a resident. After that period, you’ll need to obtain a UK driving license to continue driving legally.
To get a UK driving license, you typically need to go through the some steps, please refer to my guide 5 Steps to Get a Driving Licence in UK here
https://winterville.co.uk/how-to-get-a-driving-licence/
The cost of obtaining a UK driving license can vary depending on various factors, including the cost of driving lessons (if you choose to take them), the theory test fee, the practical driving test fee, and any additional training you might opt for. It’s a good idea to research current fees and costs on the official government website or consult with a local driving school for a more accurate estimate.