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How to claim expenses for a cancelled theory test or driving test

Updated 24 May 2024

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-refunding-out-of-pocket-expenses/guidance-on-applying-for-out-of-pocket-expenses-for-a-cancelled-driving-test

1. When you can claim expenses

You can usually claim out-of-pocket expenses if the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) cancelled your theory test or driving test at short notice.

‘Short notice’ means less than 3 clear working days’ notice. Sundays and public holidays do not count as working days.

You have to claim within 6 months of the date of your cancelled test.

Situations when you cannot claim

You cannot claim if your test is cancelled because of:

  • bad weather or poor light
  • problems with your vehicle
  • driver problems, for example, you were ill on the day

2. What you can claim

The expenses you can claim depend on the type of test that was cancelled.

Theory tests

If you were taking a theory test you can claim for:

  • any standard pay or earnings you lost through taking unpaid leave (usually half a day on the day of the test, after tax and National Insurance)
  • the cost of travelling to and from the test centre

Driving tests

If you were taking a driving test you can claim for any standard pay or earnings you lost through taking unpaid leave. This is usually half a day on the day of the test, after tax and National Insurance.

If you used your instructor’s vehicle

You can claim for the cost of vehicle hire for the test.

Costs are based on your instructor’s standard hourly lesson rate. You cannot claim for a flat rate they charge for using the vehicle on the day of the test.

The amount of time you can claim for depends on the type of test you were taking.

Type of test Maximum time you can claim
Car 2 hours
ADI part 2 2 hours
ADI part 3 2.5 hours
Motorcycle 4 hours
Lorry 4 hours
Bus and coach 4 hours

What your instructor needs to do

Ask your instructor to either:

  • fill in section 2 of the claim form
  • provide a signed and dated receipt on letter-headed paper or carrying a school stamp, that shows the driving school’s standard hourly lesson rate

The date of the receipt needs to be the same date as your cancelled test.

If you used your own vehicle

You can also claim a set rate per mile to travel to and from the test centre.

This will be based on reasonable distance travelled (except in the case of any lorry or bus tests not taken at a DVSA site).

If you hired a car for your test at short notice

You can only claim for up to 2 hours’ of the average cost of a driving lesson if you hired a car.

You cannot claim for:

  • a hire company’s flat rate fee
  • any other services that were part of the hire agreement (for example, a driver to take the car to and from the test centre)

Other expenses

You need to supply receipts for other expenses you had to pay. These need to show:

  • the amount you paid
  • the date and time that it covered

Expenses you cannot claim

You cannot claim for:

  • the cost of driving lessons before the date of your test
  • any training course you arranged before a particular test appointment
  • extra lessons you decide to take while waiting for your rearranged test
  • overtime or commission payments you lost

3. How to make a claim

  1. Download and save the claim form to your device.

  2. Open the form on your device and fill it in.

  3. Print the filled in form and sign it.

  4. Scan or take a clear photo of each page of the form.

  5. Email the scan or photos to DVSA. You also need to attach scans or photos of the supporting documents the form asks for (for example, receipts).

DVSA driving test expenses claims
opec@dvsa.gov.uk

What to include

You need to include:

  • receipts for travel costs you paid for travel to and from the test
  • a letter from your employer (on headed paper) confirming you took unpaid leave and showing your lost earnings (not including income tax and National Insurance contributions), normally for half a day only
  • receipts for other expenses you had to pay on the day, showing your name, the amount charged and the period covered

Your claim will be affected if you do not send the receipts and documents.

Other ways to apply

You can also send the claim by post. Send your claim form and any supporting documents to:

DVSA
PO Box 349
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE12 2GN

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