Can you get extra time or support in the theory test?

Quick answer

• Ask when you book. GOV.UK says you should say then if you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition.
• Anyone with a reading difficulty can ask to hear the test through headphones, in English or Welsh.
• With proof of a reading difficulty, and if DVSA agrees you need it, you can get extra time, someone to read the screen and record your answers, or someone to reword the questions.
• If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can take the test in British Sign Language, and have an interpreter or lip speaker at no extra fee.

GOV.UK describes arranging all of this when you book, not on the day: you say what you need, and DVSA tells you what happens next. If you have already booked without asking, contact DVSA's theory test enquiries team - the details are on the GOV.UK page below.

Hearing the test through headphones

If you have a reading difficulty you can ask to hear the test through headphones when you book. The voiceover is in English or Welsh, and you can listen to each question and its answers as many times as you need to. GOV.UK only asks for proof for the other kinds of support below.

It is worth knowing that the test itself can only be taken in English, Welsh or British Sign Language. Some revision books and software are translated into other languages, but there is no voiceover in other languages in the test.

Extra time, a reader, or the questions reworded

If you send proof that you have reading difficulties and DVSA agrees you need extra support, it selects the best type of support for you when you book, and tells you what to do next. GOV.UK lists three kinds:

• Extra time for the multiple-choice questions part of the test.
• A member of staff to read out the instructions and questions on the screen, and record your answers during the multiple-choice part.
• A member of staff to reword the questions so they are easier to understand. They cannot change the technical language you need to know, and you still answer each question yourself.

What counts as proof

You are told how to send it when you book. GOV.UK says it can be an email, letter or report from any of these:

• A teacher or other educational professional.
• A doctor or medical professional.
• An occupational therapist.
• An online dyslexia screening product.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing

• You can take the test in British Sign Language (BSL): a BSL video appears on the screen next to the questions and answers.
• You can have a BSL interpreter with you during the test, with no extra fee.
• You can have a lip speaker with you during the test, with no extra fee.
• You can use a listening aid (a hearing loop).

Tell DVSA you need any of these when you book your theory test.

Other conditions, and medical devices

For any other disability or health condition, GOV.UK says to contact DVSA to discuss it before you book. Its theory test enquiries details are on the same GOV.UK page.

If you use a monitoring device for a medical condition, DVSA must have approved it when you booked. If you did not mention it, GOV.UK says you need to cancel the appointment and book again, choosing 'Yes' when the booking asks whether you need support. Cancelling with at least 3 full working days' notice gets you a full refund.

Practising before the day

Support on the day changes how the test is delivered. It does not change what you need to know, and it does not lower the pass mark. Practise the questions the way you will take them where you can - if you will have the test read to you, get someone to read practice questions aloud, so the first time you hear the wording is not in the test room.