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The short answer
GOV.UK says you must have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the last 12 months before the date of your car driving test. The test costs £62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays, as at October 2026. You usually also need to have passed your theory test, and only you can book your test.
Nigerians who arrive on a work or study visa often want to get a full UK licence quickly, especially because a Nigerian licence can only be used for 12 months after becoming resident. The 185-day rule sets the earliest date you can take the practical test, and it is easy to plan around once you know how it is counted.
What the rule says
GOV.UK's booking page says: you must have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the last 12 months before the test date. Three points follow from the wording:
- It is measured back from the test date, not the booking date.
- It is a count of days in the last 12 months, not a continuous stay. Trips abroad reduce the count.
- Northern Ireland is not in the list on that page; it has its own driving test system.
There is a related 185-day point at the provisional licence stage: GOV.UK says you need permission to live in Great Britain for at least 185 days to apply for a first provisional licence. That is about your visa length, not how long you have already been here.
Working out your earliest test date
Example only. Chidi arrives in Manchester on 1 March and stays without leaving. 185 days from 1 March, counting 1 March as day one, takes him to 1 September. He can book a test for 1 September or later. If he spends two weeks in Abuja in June, those 14 days do not count, so his earliest test date moves to around 15 September.
Test slots can be booked in advance, so you can book before you reach 185 days as long as the test itself falls after the date you qualify. If plans change and you travel, check the count again before the test day. If you are unsure how the rule applies to you, GOV.UK's booking page points to DVSA's contact route.
Fees and what you need to book
| Item | As at October 2026 (GOV.UK) |
|---|---|
| Car practical test, weekday | £62 |
| Car practical test, evening, weekend or bank holiday | £75 |
| Car theory test (usually passed first) | £23 |
To book online, GOV.UK says you need your UK driving licence number and a credit or debit card, plus your instructor's personal reference number if you want to check their availability. GOV.UK also says it is against the law to book a car driving test for someone else, so be careful with anyone offering to "get you an earlier slot".
Where the rule meets the 12-month limit
A Nigerian licence can be used for 12 months from becoming resident in Great Britain, according to GOV.UK. After that you need to drive on a provisional licence, with L plates and a qualified supervisor, until you pass. Because the test cannot be sat until day 185, you have roughly six months between the earliest test date and the end of your Nigerian licence period. That is enough time for most experienced drivers if they plan:
- Apply for a provisional licence soon after arrival (permission to stay of 185 days or more).
- Pass the theory test early; the pass lasts 2 years.
- Take a few lessons to learn UK test routines (see how many lessons you might need).
- Book a practical test for a date after you reach 185 days.
- Leave room for a second attempt before month 12; GOV.UK says you must wait at least 10 working days to rebook after a fail.
On the day, GOV.UK says the pass standard is no more than 15 driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults.
After you pass
Passing the practical test ends the learner stage but starts another clock. GOV.UK's new driver rules say your licence will be revoked if you get 6 or more points within 2 years of passing your test. The rules apply to people who exchange a foreign licence for a British one and then pass a test in Great Britain, and to those who first pass here. If your licence is revoked, you apply for a new provisional licence, pay for it again, and retake both theory and practical tests.
Two common ways to collect points early are speeding and driving a car you are not insured to drive. GOV.UK lists driving without insurance at a £300 fixed penalty and 6 points, which on its own reaches the threshold; see the penalties for driving uninsured.
Where Pryme fits
Test fees, lessons and insurance are paid in pounds. A Pryme account holds GBP with local account details next to your naira, so you can ring-fence a driving budget. For the full cost list, see the total cost of passing, and how multicurrency accounts work.
Questions people ask
What is the 185-day rule for the UK driving test?
You must have lived in England, Wales or Scotland for at least 185 days in the last 12 months before your test date.
Can I book my driving test before I have lived in the UK 185 days?
The rule is about the test date. You can book ahead as long as the test falls on or after the day you meet the 185-day count.
Do holidays abroad count towards the 185 days?
No. The rule counts days you have lived in Great Britain in the last 12 months, so days spent abroad reduce the total.
How much does the UK practical driving test cost?
£62 on weekdays and £75 on evenings, weekends and bank holidays, as listed on GOV.UK as at October 2026.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Book your driving test (updated 30 Sep 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- GOV.UK: Driving test costs · accessed Oct 2026
- GOV.UK: Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence · accessed Oct 2026
- GOV.UK: Penalty points, new drivers · accessed Oct 2026
- GOV.UK: Vehicle insurance, driving without insurance · accessed Oct 2026
- GOV.UK: Driving test, cars · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.