Overview
- The DVSA published clarified guidance on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, outlining who can claim when a theory test is cancelled with less than three full working days' notice.
- Short notice is defined as under three full working days counted Monday to Saturday excluding Sundays and bank holidays, and claims must be made within six months of the cancelled test date.
- The agency confirmed travel refunds include 25p per mile for private car journeys plus public transport, taxis, fuel and parking where receipted, and it will pay up to half a day’s standard net take‑home pay but will not refund income tax or National Insurance.
- Applicants must supply their driving licence number, theory test booking reference, scanned receipts and, for unpaid leave claims, employer confirmation on headed paper or from a work email; the DVSA says decisions typically come in about six weeks and payments are issued by cheque.
- The guidance arrives alongside booking reforms — only learners may book practical tests from May 12 and from June 9 candidates will be able to move tests only to the three nearest centres — steps the DVSA says aim to cut disruption caused by backlogs and third‑party resellers.