The DVSA has released new information on how drivers can claim expenses if their theory test has been cancelled, potentially offering a lifeline for thousands of drivers.
Drivers are able to claim expenses if the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has cancelled someone's theory test at short notice.
This can happen to motorists if they have received less than three full working days' notice between Monday and Saturday.
Data from the DVSA shows that in the financial year from 2025 to 2026, almost 1.5 million car theory tests were taken, with 671,000 passing at a rate of 44.9 per cent.
This was the lowest number of theory tests since the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 and 2021, when just 891,000 tests took place.
Despite the disruption caused by numerous lockdowns, the pass rate of 55.7 per cent was the highest since the 2012 to 2013 financial year.
Drivers are not able to claim if their test was cancelled because the weather was bad, or they couldn't attend the test because they were ill on the day.
However, they can claim for travel costs to and from the test centre, lost pay or earnings from taking unpaid leave or any other reasonable expenses.
The DVSA has outlined what drivers need to do if their theory tests are cancelled on short notice
|DVSA
Travel costs can include public transport, taxis, fuel and parking for travel to get to and from the test centre on the day of their cancelled test.
Motorists who travelled to and from the test centre using their own vehicle or by getting a lift can claim 25p per mile.
The DVSA will also refund up to half a day of their standard take-home pay or earnings if their test is cancelled at short notice.
This will cover the net pay as the DVSA will not refund the amount they would have been paid in income tax and National Insurance.
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The DVSA can issue claims for travel, lost pay and other reasonable expenses
|DVSA
Drivers need to provide a copy of a letter or email from their employer that confirms that they took unpaid leave and their net pay for half a day of work.
This must be on headed paper or from a work email address. Submitted evidence cannot include a payslip, bank statement, timesheet or a P60.
When applying for expenses, people will need their driving licence number, theory test booking reference number and a scanned copy or photo of receipts or evidence.
The DVSA outlined that it typically lets drivers know if they will receive expenses within six weeks, at which point they will receive a cheque.
The DVSA continues to introduce new rules to help learner drivers when booking tests
| PAIn recent months, the DVSA has taken steps to minimise disruption to learners when trying to book their practical driving tests.
A crackdown against third-party resellers has been launched by reducing the number of changes a driver can make, in addition to only allowing learners to book a practical driving test.
Previously, driving instructors were also able to book and manage a test, but since May 12, 2026, only learners can make these changes.
New rules will be introduced next week (June 9) to restrict drivers from moving tests to only the three nearest centres to the original booking.