Straight answers to practical questions about driving, travelling, parking and getting around Northern Ireland.
You fail the whole theory test and must retake both the multiple-choice and hazard-perception parts.
No. From 1 October 2026, Category B candidates need a Northern Ireland provisional licence to book or take the test in Northern Ireland.
You need a valid UK driving licence with a Northern Ireland address, a valid email address and a payment card.
Yes, if you give DVA at least three clear working days' notice you can cancel and receive a full refund.
Yes. You can reschedule a theory test if you give DVA at least three clear working days' notice.
Yes. Learner drivers must pass the relevant theory test before booking the practical test.
A theory test certificate is valid for two years from the date you pass.
You need 43 correct answers out of 50 in the multiple-choice section, and you must also pass hazard perception.
The multiple-choice part has 50 questions and the pass mark is 43 out of 50.
A weekday practical car test currently costs £65, while an evening or weekend car test costs £95.
The official DVA car theory test fee is currently £23.
The examiner issues a vehicle test certificate confirming the vehicle met the required standards at the time of the test.
Normally a vehicle of test age needs a valid MOT or an applicable DVA exemption before it can be taxed.
The safest option is to book directly through the official DVA service so you pay only the official test fee.
Yes. DVA provides an online service to view, change or cancel an existing MOT appointment.
At minimum, check obvious roadworthiness items such as lights, tyres, tyre pressures and brakes before the test.
The current DVA fee for a duplicate MOT certificate is £10.
You need the booking reference, the vehicle registration or trailer ID, and access to the booking email address.
Yes. The online service sends a six-digit authentication code to the email used for the original booking.
Yes. The DVA online vehicle test service can be used to book an MOT retest within the permitted period.
No. If your private car qualifies for the current TEC scheme, DVA applies the extension automatically.
A Temporary Exemption Certificate extends the MOT validity of certain eligible private cars without a new test during the exemption period.
Yes. You can choose another DVA test centre, and another centre may have an earlier appointment.
Yes. Northern Ireland MOT results from tests carried out since December 2017 can be checked online.
DVA gives you a notification of refusal listing the faults that need to be repaired.
There are limited exceptions for taking a failed vehicle away for repair, but it still has to be safe enough to drive.
Generally yes, if you are driving directly to a test booked in advance and the vehicle is roadworthy.
If you miss the appointment without cancelling, you lose the fee and must pay again for another test.
Yes, if you cancel within DVA's required notice period you can avoid losing the test fee.
Yes. DVA lets you view, change or cancel an MOT appointment online.
