Key points
- The examiner tells you your result and goes through the faults you made, and you get an end-of-test summary afterwards.
- To retest, you book again yourself and pay the full fee again. The new date must be at least 10 working days away.
- The examiner's decision is final. Neither a DVSA complaint nor a court appeal can change your result.
- You can only appeal if the examiner did not follow the law: within 6 months at a magistrates' court in England and Wales, or within 21 days at a sheriff court in Scotland. You could face legal costs if you lose.
- Around half of learners fail at the first attempt, according to DVSA. A fail is common, and it tells you exactly what to work on.
If you fail your driving test, the examiner tells you straight away and explains the faults you made. To try again, you book a new test yourself and pay the full fee again. The new date has to be at least 10 working days away.[1] The examiner's decision is final.[3] You can only challenge a test if the examiner did not follow the law, and even then the result itself cannot be changed.[5] This guide explains each step and how to make the most of your next attempt.
How the result is decided
You pass if you make no more than 15 driving faults (often called "minors") and no serious or dangerous faults ("majors").[1] A dangerous fault involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property. A serious fault is something potentially dangerous. A driving fault is not potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same one it could become serious.[1] For a closer look at how faults are marked, see driving test faults explained.
At the end of the test: the debrief
The examiner asks whether you want someone, usually your instructor, to sit in the back during the test or be with you for the result and feedback.[2] At the end, the examiner tells you the result.[3] DVSA's guidance tells examiners to give you a brief explanation of the faults they recorded. If you failed because you had more than 15 driving faults, they should explain all of them.[3]
Examiners now record tests on a tablet, as a digital test report. Before the test you choose whether your end-of-test summary is sent to your email address or by post. If you fail, the examiner tells you to expect this summary.[3]
Booking your retest
- Wait at least 10 working days. When you rebook, you have to choose a date at least 10 working days away.[1]
- Pay again. You pay the full test fee again: £62 on weekdays, or £75 for evenings, weekends and bank holidays.[4]
- Book it yourself. Since 12 May 2026 only the learner can book and manage a car driving test. Your instructor cannot do it for you.[10]
- Your theory pass still counts for 2 years from when you passed it. You need to pass the practical test within that time or take the theory test again.[7]
The official booking service and how appointments are released are covered in how to book or change your driving test. Only use GOV.UK. Third-party booking and cancellation finder services are not allowed.[10]
How long you may wait
DVSA does not publish a separate waiting figure for retests. Its figures cover all car tests. For 2025 to 2026, DVSA's headline car waiting-time measure was 21.5 weeks, against a target of 7 weeks.[8] That measure is not an average wait. It is the earliest week in which 10% of slots are available to book, capped at 24 weeks.[8] DVSA now also publishes the median wait between booking and taking a test: half of the learners who took a test in August 2026 had waited no more than 11.1 weeks.[9] These are published statistics, not live availability. Waits vary a lot between centres. See our waiting times data.
You are not alone
DVSA's annual report says around 50% of learners currently fail at the first attempt.[8] The same report notes that being properly ready before booking would cut the demand that retests create.[8] In other words, the time before your next test is best spent fixing the specific faults on your summary.
Complaining to DVSA
If you are unhappy with the service, for example the examiner's behaviour or a booking problem, you can complain to DVSA. It aims to reply within 10 working days.[6] DVSA cannot change your test result.[6] Include the type of test, the date, time and place, and 2 of these 3: your driving licence number, theory test pass certificate number and test booking reference.[6] If you are not happy with the reply, you can ask DVSA's Public Liaison team to look at it again.[6]
If you have proof that the examiner did not follow the law, DVSA says complaining to it is quicker and easier than going to court.[5] If DVSA agrees with you, your result still stands, but you might get a refund or a free retest.[1]
Appealing to a court
You can only appeal if the examiner did not follow the law on how tests must be carried out. Examples are not checking your eyesight at the start, spending less than 30 minutes on the road, not asking you to do a reversing exercise, or not asking the "show me, tell me" questions.[5] You cannot appeal over something that was skipped because the examiner stopped the test for dangerous driving.[5]
An appeal will not succeed because you disagree with the result or the examiner's judgement, think a serious or dangerous fault was unfair, did not like the examiner, felt unwell, or your car broke down.[5]
| Where you live | Where to appeal | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| England and Wales | Your local magistrates' court | Within 6 months of your test |
| Scotland | Your local sheriff court | Within 21 days of your test |
Source for the table: DVSA's appeal guidance.[5] You tell the court you are appealing under section 90 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. You need to show that it is more probable than not that the examiner did not follow the law.[5]
The court cannot change your result. If you win, it can decide you should get a free retest or a refund of your test fee.[5] If you lose, you may have to pay significant legal costs.[5] You can get legal advice to help you work out whether you have grounds to appeal.[5]
Next steps: read the top 10 reasons people fail the driving test and our guide to preparing for your driving test.
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See plansSources
- Driving test: cars – Driving test faults and your result
- Driving test: cars – What happens during the test
- Carrying out driving tests: examiner guidance (DT1) – 1. Car driving test
- Driving test costs
- Appeal your driving test
- Complaints procedure – Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
- Theory test: cars – Pass mark and test result
- DVSA annual report and accounts, 2025 to 2026
- Driving test appointments: release dates and finding earlier tests
- Changes to driving test booking rules in 2026
Last checked against the cited sources on 14 October 2026. PassNav is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA, DVLA or TomTom. Our guides are prepared with AI assistance and checked against the official sources cited on each page. Rules and fees change — for current legal requirements and booking rules, always check GOV.UK. This is general guidance and does not replace professional driving instruction. Spotted something out of date? Email passnav@smartaisolution.co.uk — see our editorial policy.