Driving Theory Test Kit UK

Accessibility

UK theory test accessibility and reasonable adjustments

Last reviewed against gov.uk on

DVSA offers a wide set of reasonable adjustments for the UK driving theory test — voiceover in English or Welsh, British Sign Language on-screen video or in-person interpreter, extra time on the multiple-choice section, and a reader or scribe. Bespoke arrangements (for example, a separate room for severe anxiety or autism with sensory needs) can be agreed with DVSA customer services before you book. Most adjustments need supporting evidence and must be requested when you book — they cannot be arranged on the day.

When you book your theory test you should say if you have a: reading difficulty, disability, or health condition.
— GOV.UK — theory test: reading difficulty, disability or health condition

The full list of adjustments

UK theory test reasonable adjustments
Adjustment Who it’s for Evidence required
English or Welsh voiceover Selectable by any candidate at the booking step; recommended for candidates with dyslexia, reading difficulties or some disabilities None — available to everyone
Extra time on multiple-choice — gov.uk does not publish a precise maximum; industry sources commonly cite up to double the 57-minute window for eligible candidates Reading difficulty, dyslexia, certain disabilities or health conditions Letter / report from a teacher, doctor, occupational therapist, or a recognised online dyslexia screen
Reader — DVSA staff member reads questions aloud Reading difficulty / dyslexia / vision impairment Same evidence as for extra time
Recorder / scribe — DVSA staff records your answers Physical disability that prevents using a mouse or screen Letter from a doctor or other professional
Question rewording — DVSA staff rephrase non-technical wording, and may also re-order the sentence structure, to make questions easier to understand. Technical terms (e.g. "MSPSL", named crossing types) that you need to know stay unchanged. Reading difficulty, language processing difference, or other comprehension barrier Same evidence as for extra time
British Sign Language (BSL) video on screen alongside the questions Deaf candidates whose first language is BSL None at booking — declare at booking time
BSL interpreter in person Deaf candidates who prefer a live interpreter None — provided at no extra fee
Lip-speaker Hearing impairment, prefers lip-reading over BSL None — provided at no extra fee
Hearing loop Hearing-aid users (T-position compatible) None
Bespoke arrangements — e.g. a separate / quieter room for severe anxiety, autism with sensory needs, or another condition not listed above Discuss with DVSA customer services before booking — these are arranged case by case Letter from a doctor / clinician describing the specific need

Adjustments not listed above — for example a particular condition not covered here — can still be discussed with DVSA. Contact theorycustomerservices@dvsa.gov.uk, call 0300 200 1122 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm), or message +44 (0)1908 787001 on WhatsApp (messages only) before you book if you need something bespoke.

Voiceover — the most-used adjustment

The English (or Welsh) voiceover reads every question and every answer option aloud through headphones supplied at the test centre. You control the playback yourself. It’s available to any candidate — you do not need to declare a disability or supply evidence to use it. Ask for an English (or Welsh) voiceover through headphones when you book your test.

Two common misconceptions worth clearing up:

  • The voiceover is in English (or Welsh), not a translation. It does not help if your difficulty is with the English language itself — only with reading speed or comprehension. Foreign-language voiceovers were withdrawn on 7 April 2014 and have not returned.
  • The voiceover covers the multiple-choice section only. The hazard perception clips have no narration — they’re purely visual.

BSL — on screen, in person, or both

Deaf candidates have three BSL routes:

  • On-screen BSL video alongside each question. A signer translates the question and answer options live in a video panel.
  • BSL interpreter in person at the test centre, at no extra fee to the candidate.
  • Lip-speaker if you prefer lip-reading to BSL.

Signly — the BSL booking translation tool (since 19 May 2025)

Until 2025, the booking page itself was English-only — a barrier for BSL-first users wanting to book independently. On 19 May 2025, DVSA launched Signly on the theory-test booking page — DVSA describes it as the first of its kind to be introduced across the Government. Click a paragraph and a video signer reads it back in BSL. The integration was built in partnership with Signly (the BSL-translation company), the Government Digital Service, and digital-technology firm Kainos .

Extra time — what counts as evidence

Extra time on the multiple-choice section is the most-asked adjustment and the one with the strictest evidence requirement. gov.uk does not publish a precise maximum; industry sources commonly cite up to double the standard 57-minute window. Acceptable evidence includes:

  • A letter or report from a teacher, lecturer or SENCo at your current or recent school
  • A GP or specialist clinician letter
  • A report from an educational psychologist, occupational therapist or speech-and-language therapist
  • An online dyslexia screening product (for example, a British Dyslexia Association-assured screen)

Note that extra time applies only to the multiple-choice section, not the hazard perception clips. The clips are time-locked by design — every candidate sees them at the same speed.

For English-as-an-additional-language candidates

There is no language-translation option in the modern UK theory test. The 2014 withdrawal of foreign-language voiceovers was driven by a documented fraud problem — interpreters had been caught indicating correct answers to candidates — and has not been reversed. Practical strategies for ESL candidates:

  • Use the English voiceover — you can replay each question and answer aloud, which often clarifies vocabulary that text alone obscures.
  • Learn the driving-specific vocabulary — “give way”, “MSPSL” (Mirror Signal Position Speed Look), “MSM” (Mirror Signal Manoeuvre), and the named pedestrian-crossing types (Zebra, Pelican, Puffin, Toucan, Pegasus, Equestrian, Parallel). The Highway Code uses these terms throughout.
  • Practise via mock tests — the question phrasing is consistent across the DVSA bank, so familiarity with the wording is half the battle.

For autistic candidates and candidates with ADHD

Autism, ADHD and anxiety disorders are not specifically listed as adjustments, but DVSA can arrange supporting accommodations including a separate test room, the voiceover, extra time where appropriate, and a quieter slot at the test centre. A short letter from a GP or educational professional describing the specific difficulty is usually enough.

Practical revision strategies people report success with:

  • Short, frequent sessions rather than long study blocks. The DVSA syllabus breaks neatly into 14 topics — one per session.
  • Topic-first then mock-tests. Mock tests pulled from random topics confuse retention; mastering one topic at a time embeds the rules better.
  • The voiceover for the real test, even if you’ve revised in writing. Audio input reduces the working-memory load of reading on test day.
  • Arrive early enough to settle. DVSA asks for 15 minutes early; a quieter morning slot is often less crowded than the late afternoon.

Practical and hazard perception adjustments

Adjustments at the practical driving test (separate from theory) are handled by the examiner. They include lifting the practical test fee, additional briefing time, and written or signed communication. The hazard perception section of the theory test cannot be adjusted for time — DVSA holds the clips to the same speed for all candidates — but the multiple-choice extra-time entitlement applies to the multiple-choice section before it.

If you need to discuss something bespoke

Email theorycustomerservices@dvsa.gov.uk with the subject “Reasonable adjustment enquiry”, call 0300 200 1122 (Mon–Fri 8am–5pm), or message +44 (0)1908 787001 on WhatsApp (messages only). Do this before you book — adjustments cannot be applied to an existing booking on the day.

Sources

Accessibility — FAQs

How do I book the UK theory test?

Book only through the official GOV.UK service at gov.uk/book-theory-test — that is the only valid booking route for DVSA tests. You need your UK driving licence number (provisional is fine), an email address and a credit or debit card. Third-party sites that charge to book are unofficial.

Source: gov.uk — book your theory test

Can I take the theory test in Welsh? What about other languages?

The theory test is available in English or Welsh, including the on-screen voiceover. Other foreign-language voiceovers and interpreters were withdrawn on 7 April 2014 — English and Welsh are the only spoken-language options available today. British Sign Language is available as an on-screen video and, separately, in person via a BSL interpreter.

Source: gov.uk — end to foreign language driving tests

Is there an English voiceover for the test?

Yes. The on-screen English (or Welsh) voiceover is available to all candidates and is particularly intended for people with dyslexia, reading difficulties or certain disabilities. You select it when you book — all adjustments must be requested at booking and cannot be set up on the day.

Source: gov.uk — reading difficulty, disability or health condition

Can I take the theory test in Polish, Urdu, Punjabi, Arabic or any other language?

No. Foreign-language voiceovers and interpreters were withdrawn on 7 April 2014 to prevent fraud. The on-screen voiceover is only available in English or Welsh. An on-screen British Sign Language video is available for deaf candidates. Translators and interpreters are not permitted.

Source: gov.uk — end to foreign language driving tests

What accommodations are available for dyslexia, anxiety, autism or ADHD?

DVSA offers an English or Welsh voiceover (open to anyone, no evidence required), extra time on the multiple-choice section (with supporting evidence from a teacher or other educational professional, a doctor or medical professional, an occupational therapist, or an online dyslexia screening product — eligible candidates typically get up to double the standard 57-minute window), a reader, a recorder/scribe, question rewording (staff rephrase non-technical wording while keeping technical terms unchanged), an on-screen British Sign Language video, a BSL interpreter in person, a lip-speaker, and a hearing loop. Anything beyond these — for example a separate room for severe anxiety or autism with sensory needs — can be arranged bespoke by contacting DVSA before you book (email theorycustomerservices@dvsa.gov.uk, phone 0300 200 1122, or WhatsApp +44 (0)1908 787001 for messages only); all adjustments must be requested at booking and cannot be set up on the day.

Source: gov.uk — reading difficulty, disability or health condition