Can you take the theory test online or at home?

No. gov.uk describes the theory test as a test you take at a test centre, where staff check your identity and your belongings, so you cannot sit the real test at home. You can do almost everything around it online, including booking and practising.

What gov.uk says about test centres

The gov.uk theory test pages describe arriving at the test centre, passing identity and security checks, and switching off electronic devices before you go in (gov.uk: when you arrive at the test centre).

That is why there is no at-home version. Staff need to see your face to check you against your photo ID, and you leave your belongings in a locker or clear plastic box. To find a centre, use our test centre index.

What you can do online

Task	Online?	Official page
Book the theory test	Yes	gov.uk: book your theory test
Check your appointment	Yes	gov.uk: check your appointment
Change your appointment	Yes	gov.uk: change your appointment
Cancel your appointment	Yes	gov.uk: cancel your test
Take the real test	No, at a test centre	gov.uk: theory test
Practise	Yes	gov.uk: practice test

Booking online

gov.uk says you book through its theory test service. For a car test you need a provisional driving licence, an email address and a credit or debit card (gov.uk: book your theory test).

The car theory test costs £23. You can tell the service about a reading difficulty, health condition or disability when you book. Our guide to theory test cost and booking covers unofficial sites that charge more, and changing or cancelling.

Practising from home

gov.uk says you can practise both parts of the theory test online (gov.uk: take a practice theory test). Its multiple-choice mock tests are free, and you can practise hazard perception with 3 free test clips.

gov.uk says the practice questions and clips are not used in the real test, but are based on the same topics. Official practice is a good way to see how the test works.

For more ways to practise, our guide to free theory test practice lists the free options. You can also use the free practice questions on theorytest.ai, or take the free theorytest.ai diagnostic to see which topics to work on first.

Reading help and other support

You cannot take the test remotely, but support is available at the centre. gov.uk has a page for people with a reading difficulty, disability or health condition (gov.uk: reading difficulty, disability or health condition). See our guides to dyslexia and reading support and languages and BSL.

Beware of "online theory test" offers

Any site selling an online pass, or offering to sit the test for you, is not the real test. gov.uk says unofficial booking sites usually charge more. Book only through gov.uk, and see theory test cost and booking.

theorytest.ai is independent and is not affiliated with the DVSA or DVLA.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take the car theory test at home?

No. gov.uk describes the test as taken at a test centre, with identity and security checks by staff.

Can I book the theory test online?

Yes. You book through the gov.uk theory test service with your licence number, an email address and a card.

Is there an official online practice test?

Yes. gov.uk offers free multiple-choice mock tests and 3 free hazard perception practice clips.

Can I change or cancel my theory test online?

Yes. gov.uk has online services to check, change and cancel your appointment.

Where can I find my nearest theory test centre?

Use the theory test centre index on theorytest.ai, or the gov.uk booking service.