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Fee historyUpdated June 2026
£62 since 2009. A real-terms cut.
The UK weekday practical driving test fee has been frozen at £62 since 2009. With inflation, £62 in 2009 is worth roughly £100 today: an effective 38% discount versus when the freeze started.
The fee timeline
UK practical & theory test fees, 2003-present.
| Period | Weekday | Weekend | Theory | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2015 - present | £62 | £75 | £23 | Weekday £62 unchanged since 2009; theory cut to £23 |
| Oct 2014 - Oct 2015 | £62 | £75 | £25 | Theory cut £31 to £25 |
| Mar 2009 - Oct 2014 | £62 | £75 | £31 | Practical rose to £62 (30 Mar 2009) |
| Apr 2008 - Mar 2009 | £56.50 | £67 | £30 | |
| Jan 2007 - Apr 2008 | £48.50 | £58 | £28.50 | |
| Jul 2003 - Jan 2007 | £42.00 | £52 | £20.50 |
Why no increase?
- Cost recovery: DVSA is funded by fees. Demand has risen faster than costs in absolute terms.
- Political sensitivity: a fee that affects 17-year-olds is uniquely visible in election cycles.
- Efficiency gains: digital booking has reduced admin overhead.
Real-terms picture
- 2009 £62 = roughly £100 in today’s money.
- Versus inflation: about a 38% real-terms reduction.
- Compared to most fees: rare; the passport, MOT and provisional licence have all risen.
European comparison
UK has one of the cheapest driving tests in Europe.
| Country | Test fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £62 | DVSA practical, weekday |
| France | ~£100+ | Permis B examination |
| Netherlands | ~£150 | CBR examen |
| Germany | ~£200+ | Mehrere components, plus mandatory training |
| Switzerland | ~£300+ | Most expensive in Europe |
Rates approximate, converted at typical 2026 rates. UK has one of the lowest fees and one of the highest fail rates: the test is famously demanding for the price.