Photo: Irek Marcinkowski / Pexels. Illustrative photograph.
You book the Northern Ireland car practical test with DVA, online through nidirect or by phone. As of November 2026 it costs £65 on a weekday or £95 for an evening or weekend slot. Car appointments are released 3 months ahead, on the first working day of each month, at every test centre. This guide covers what you need before booking, the release pattern, changing or cancelling, and the test centres.
Key facts
- Fee: £65 weekday, £95 evening or weekend (DVA, as of November 2026).
- Extended test (after a ban): £130, weekdays only.
- Release: car slots go live 3 months ahead, on the first working day of each month.
- Book: online on nidirect, or by phone 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.
- No booking fee when you book direct with DVA: you pay only the test cost.
- NI provisional licence needed: since 1 October 2026, GB provisional holders cannot book or take car tests in Northern Ireland.
What you need before you can book
| If you are | You need |
|---|---|
| A GDL learner (provisional from 1 October 2026) | Theory test pass, the 6-month minimum learning period finished, and your GDL Logbook completed with final sign-off. The GDL system then passes your details to the booking system. |
| A pre-GDL learner testing by 31 March 2027 | Theory test pass and your NI provisional licence |
| Anyone booking from 1 April 2027 | The completed GDL Programme of Training and Logbook, as well as the theory pass |
For a phone booking have your provisional licence, theory test certificate and card details ready. See the GDL logbook app and the NI transition rules.
When are DVA test dates released?
All test centres release car appointments on the first working day of each month, covering dates about 3 months ahead. Popular centres fill up fast.
- Be ready to book online on release day.
- If your centre is full, try another centre.
- Keep checking: DVA adds slots as resources allow, and other people cancel or move tests.
- If you take a short-notice slot, you may not get an appointment letter before the test.
Tests run on Saturdays, and on Sundays at some centres. Evenings and weekends cost the higher fee.
DVA driving test fees (as of November 2026)
| Test | Weekday | Evening or weekend |
|---|---|---|
| Car (category B) practical | £65 | £95 |
| Car extended test (disqualified drivers) | £130 | Not available |
| Car and motorcycle theory test | £23 | £23 |
Check the current figures on the nidirect “Driving test fees” page before booking. These are DVA fees and differ from the DVSA fees in Great Britain.
Changing or cancelling your test
Use nidirect’s “Change, cancel or view your practical driving test online” service, or phone. You need your booking reference, driving licence number, date of birth and access to the email address you booked with (a 6-digit code is sent there and lasts 20 minutes).
Change or cancel by the last cancellation date and you keep or recover your payment. Your appointment notice shows the date. The pattern is:
| Test day | Last day to change or cancel |
|---|---|
| Monday | Tuesday before the test |
| Tuesday | Wednesday before |
| Wednesday | Thursday before |
| Thursday | Friday before |
| Friday | Monday before |
| Saturday | Tuesday before |
Near a bank or public holiday, count the holiday as an extra day. If DVA cancels your test, it arranges another appointment at no extra cost, but does not pay compensation.
Northern Ireland driving test centres
DVA lists test centres in all six counties:
- Antrim: Ballymena, Belfast, Larne, Lisburn, Mallusk
- Armagh: Armagh, Craigavon
- Down: Downpatrick, Hydebank (Belfast), Newry, Newtownards
- Fermanagh: Enniskillen
- Londonderry: Coleraine, Londonderry (two centres)
- Tyrone: Cookstown, Omagh
Not every centre runs every type of test. Check nidirect’s “Driving and vehicle test centres” page for which centres take car tests before you book.
Disability or extra needs
Phone the booking line and say you are calling about a driving test for a candidate with a disability. You can ask for a suitable appointment, and more time may be allowed.
Using your own car?
Citroen C3, DS3, C4, DS4 and DS5 models with an open “stop drive” safety recall cannot be used unless you bring a recall sign-off from the manufacturer. Check any car for open recalls before test day.
Common questions
How far ahead can I book my NI driving test?
About 3 months. New car slots are released on the first working day of each month.
Is the NI test fee the same as in Great Britain?
No. DVA sets NI fees (£65 weekday). DVSA sets GB fees separately; see GB booking rules.
Can I book with a GB provisional licence?
No. Since 1 October 2026 you need a Northern Ireland provisional licence to book or take car tests in NI.
Do I lose my fee if I cancel late?
nidirect only promises to keep or recover your payment if you change or cancel by the last cancellation date on your appointment notice. For a short-notice cancellation because of COVID-19 or another respiratory infection, phone the booking line.
Can I book through a third-party website?
Booking direct with DVA means you pay only the test fee, with no admin charge. Use nidirect.
What happens on the test itself?
See the car driving test in GB and NI. The NI test changes from 1 April 2027.
Main guide: Learning to drive in Northern Ireland.
Sources
- DVA, “Driving test fees” (nidirect.gov.uk)
- DVA, “A guide to booking your practical driving test” (nidirect.gov.uk)
- DVA, “Change, cancel or view your practical driving test online” (nidirect.gov.uk)
- DVA, “Driving and vehicle test centres” (nidirect.gov.uk)
- Department for Infrastructure, “Graduated Driver Licensing FAQs” (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk)
- DVA, “What Graduated Driver Licensing means for learner drivers” (nidirect.gov.uk)