Being taken to an employment tribunal

Overview

You can be taken to an employment tribunal by an employee or someone else (for example a job applicant or trade union) over various issues, including:

pay

dismissal

discrimination

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

The tribunal (an employment tribunal) is independent of government and will listen to you (the ‘respondent’) and the other party (the ‘claimant’) before making a decision.

You may have to pay compensation or reinstate the claimant (the other party (the ‘claimant’)) if you lose the case.

Solve the dispute without a hearing

You’ll be contacted by the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) if someone wants to make a claim against you. They’ll offer to work with you and the claimant to try to solve the problem (the dispute) without it (the dispute) going to a tribunal - this is called ‘conciliation’.

Call Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas)) for help and advice.

Respond to a claim

The tribunal (an employment tribunal) will send you a letter (known as a ‘response pack’) if a claim has been made against you and conciliation has not worked. You can respond either:

online

by filling out and returning the response pack you’re sent

by downloading and filling in the response form and sending it to the tribunal office dealing with the case

Read the response guidance before you fill in the form (the response form).

You must respond to the claim (a claim) within 28 days.

You may be able to get more time to respond - ask the tribunal (an employment tribunal). If you’re late or do not respond, the tribunal (an employment tribunal) may make a decision against you without a hearing.

Offer the claimant compensation

You can try to settle the case at any time by offering to pay compensation to the claimant (known as a ‘settlement agreement’).

Get help or legal advice

You may want to get legal advice if a claim is made against you.

Call the employment tribunal enquiry line for general guidance on how the process works. They cannot give you legal advice.

If you’re in Northern Ireland

Your case will be dealt with by the Office of Industrial Tribunals and the Fair Employment Tribunal.

Before the hearing

You’ll be given at least 14 days’ notice before the hearing - you’ll get a letter confirming this. You must prepare documents and arrange for witnesses to attend in advance.

‘Preliminary hearing’

You may be asked to go to an initial hearing (called a preliminary hearing) with the judge to decide on things like:

the date and time of a hearing

how long the hearing (a hearing) should take

The tribunal (an employment tribunal) will let you know if you’ll have to give evidence or provide any extra information.

Arrange documents

You can ask the claimant for documents that will help you with the case (Your case), and they (the claimant) can request documents from you.

Examples of documents include:

a contract of employment

pay slips

details of a pension scheme

notes from relevant meetings

Usually the tribunal (an employment tribunal) will issue an order setting out a timetable for when you should exchange documents.

You’ll be sent a letter telling you how many copies of each document to bring to the hearing.

Organise witnesses

You can bring witnesses to the hearing if they can give evidence directly relevant to the case (Your case).

If you ask a witness to attend and they do not want to, you can ask the tribunal (an employment tribunal) to order them to come. You must apply in writing to the tribunal office dealing with the case (Your case), giving:

the name and address of the witness

details of what the witness may be able to say and how it will help the case (Your case)

the reason the witness has refused to attend (if they gave you one)

You’ll most likely be responsible for paying the witness’s (the witness) expenses.

At the hearing

Cases are normally held at the employment tribunal office closest to where you worked.

You must take the documents you’re using to support the case (Your case).

You cannot claim for expenses for going to the hearing.

What happens at the hearing

You’ll present the case (Your case) to the tribunal (an employment tribunal) - someone else can do this for you, such as a lawyer, friend or family member. The claimant will present their case against you.

You may be asked questions by:

the judge

the claimant

2 other tribunal members (only in certain tribunals)

Get a decision

You’ll be sent the decision (a decision) in the post a few days or weeks after the hearing. The decision (a decision) will be published on GOV.UK. In certain cases you may also be given the decision (a decision) at the hearing.

If you win the case

In most cases, you will not be awarded any compensation if you win. However, if the claimant acted unreasonably or if their (The claimant) case (Your case) had no hope of success, you can ask to be awarded costs by the tribunal (an employment tribunal).

If you lose the case

If you lose, the tribunal (an employment tribunal) can order you to do certain things depending on the type of case. Examples include:

giving the claimant their job back

paying compensation if you cannot give the claimant their (the claimant) job (their job) back

paying witness expenses

paying damages or loss of earnings

Pay compensation

Paying compensation is the most common outcome of a tribunal. There can be limits to the amount of money a tribunal can award. There’s no limit in cases of discrimination.

The tribunal (an employment tribunal) usually works out the amount based on the financial loss the person (the claimant) has suffered as a result of your actions.

Interest is calculated from the day the judgment is received, but you will not have to pay interest if you pay the full compensation award within 14 days.

You can be taken to court and forced to pay. You can also be fined and named online by the government if you do not pay.

Pay back state benefits

You might have to pay back any Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support or Employment Support Allowance (ESA) that the claimant claimed while taking their case to the tribunal (an employment tribunal).

This (pay) is to prevent them (The claimant) from getting paid twice.

The tribunal (an employment tribunal) and the Compensation Recovery Unit will tell you what you need to do and how much to pay.

If you disagree with a tribunal decision

You can ask the tribunal (an employment tribunal) to reconsider the decision (a tribunal decision) if you lose the case.

You must write to the tribunal office within 14 days of getting the decision (a tribunal decision), saying why you want it (a tribunal decision) to be reconsidered.

You need to give good reasons, such as:

the tribunal (an employment tribunal) made a mistake in the way it (an employment tribunal) reached its (an employment tribunal) decision

you were not told about the hearing

new evidence has turned up since the hearing

Send your letter to the tribunal office that dealt with the case (the tribunal office).

Appeal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal

You can also appeal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal if you think the employment tribunal (an employment tribunal) made a legal mistake.

Legislation

The Employment Tribunal (an employment tribunal) follows certain rules and processes that you also have to follow.

You can also read other relevant tribunal rules and regulations.

The tribunal (an employment tribunal) has issued guidance and practice directions which provides more information about specific areas, such as postponing hearings and serving documents.

You can also read guidance about specific cases.


Drink-drive rehabilitation courses

When you can take a course

You can be offered a rehabilitation course to reduce your driving ban if:

you’re found guilty of a drink-drive offence

your ban (your driving ban) is for 12 months or more

You have to pay to take the course (a course). It (a course) can cost up to £250.

Reducing the length of your ban (your driving ban)

Your ban (your driving ban) will be reduced if you complete the course (a course) within a certain time. The ban (your driving ban) is usually reduced by a quarter.

Deciding to take a course

You have to decide in court if you want to take a course or not. You cannot change your mind later.

There’s a different process for taking a drink-drive course in Northern Ireland.

Choose a course

Before you go to court, find a drink-drive course that you want to take if you’re found guilty and offered a course.

The court (court) will send your details to the course provider. They’ll then send you details of:

the available course dates

when you must complete your course by

You’re responsible for completing the course (a course) by the deadline.

Changing courses

You can change to another course with a different provider at any point before you book. It’s free to change your course.

Ask the provider of the course you’d originally chosen (the course provider) to arrange this (change).

How the course works

The course aims to stop you from drink-driving again. They:

are face-to-face

take place over 16 hours (usually run on 3 days spread over 3 weeks)

will have other drink-drive offenders at them

The course syllabus tells you more about what’s covered during the course.

After the course

You’ll get a ‘certificate of course completion’ from the course provider when you complete the course. They (the course provider)’ll also send a copy to the court that sentenced you (court).

The court (court) will tell DVLA so that your driving ban is reduced.

Your driving ban will not be reduced if you do not complete the course or do not pay for your course.

If you’re a ‘high risk offender’

You need to reapply for a driving licence and take a medical if you’re classified as a ‘high risk offender’. Check with your course provider if you’re not sure if you are.

Complain about a course

Complain to the course provider if you’re not happy with the course (a course).

Contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVLA) if you cannot sort out the problem with the course provider.


Legal aid

Overview

Legal aid can help meet the costs of legal advice, family mediation and representation in a court or tribunal.

You’ll usually need to show that:

your case is eligible for legal aid

the problem is serious

you cannot afford to pay for legal costs

You could for example get legal aid if:

you or your family are at risk of abuse or serious harm, for example domestic violence or forced marriage

you’re at risk of homelessness or losing your home

you’ve been accused of a crime, face prison or detention

you’re being discriminated against

you need family mediation

you’re adding legal arguments or bringing a case under the Human Rights Act

You’ll usually need to show that you cannot afford to pay for this help (legal aid). You may have to pay some money towards the legal costs of your case or pay costs back later.

Check if you can get legal aid to get help with civil cases. Your legal adviser will usually apply for legal aid on your behalf.

Legal aid rules are different in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

What you can get

You could get help with the costs of legal advice or getting someone to speak or negotiate for you.

You may have to pay some money towards the legal costs of your case.

If your problem is covered by legal aid and you qualify you could get:

advice on your rights and options

help with negotiations and paperwork

help if you’re accused of a crime, for example advice at a police station

a solicitor or barrister to get your case ready and speak on your behalf in court and some tribunals

What you can get legal aid for

You might be able to get legal aid for problems like:

homelessness or losing your home, or if it (your home)’s in serious disrepair

protecting yourself or your child from abuse or harassment, for example domestic violence or forced marriage

poor quality care you or a family member are getting due to age, disability or special educational needs

needing advice on finances, children or divorce if you’ve been in an abusive relationship

a child in your family being at risk of being taken into care

family mediation, for example if you’re separating or getting a divorce

discrimination

challenging the way the government has made a decision about you

seeking asylum or if you’ve been the victim of human trafficking

being arrested, charged or questioned by the police

needing representation at a mental health tribunal or inquest

appealing a decision made by the social security tribunal about your benefits to the Upper Tribunal, Court of Appeal or Supreme Court

Exceptional case funding

You may be able to get legal aid in other exceptional cases, if you can show that being refused legal aid would infringe:

your rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

your EU rights to legal representation

Get advice from a legal adviser about whether you’re eligible and how to apply.

You can also apply directly to the Exceptional Case Funding team at the Legal Aid Agency.

Eligibility

Whether you qualify for legal aid will depend on:

the type of case

your financial circumstances

Civil (non-criminal) cases

Civil cases include things like debt, family or housing problems. To get legal aid, you usually need to show you cannot afford to pay for legal costs and your problem is serious.

You’ll usually have to give details and evidence of your income, benefits, savings and property, and those of your partner. If you’re under 18, you may need to give information about your parents’ or guardians’ income.

Your financial situation is not taken into account for cases about:

mental health tribunals

children in care

child abduction

You may also have to provide evidence about your problem, for example in a divorce case by providing a court order or GP letter showing that you or your child have been a victim of abuse.

Check if you qualify for legal aid to get help with civil cases.

Paying the costs of your case

Legal aid might not cover all the costs of your case (the costs of your case). You may have to:

pay some of the costs (the costs of your case) upfront

pay back some of the cost if you win money or property from your case

Read about paying for legal aid.

The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) (the Legal Aid Agency) will make a charge or claim – known as the ‘statutory charge’ – on any money or property you win. If this is your home, payment can be deferred and the debt placed as a charge on your home (similar to a mortgage).

Your legal adviser will explain how this works.

Contact the LAA’s (the Legal Aid Agency) Secured Debt Team to discuss how to pay.

If legal aid is withdrawn, you may have to repay the full legal costs.

Criminal cases

You have the right to free legal advice if you’re questioned at a police station.

You’ll automatically get legal aid for legal representation in court if you’re under 16 (or under 18 and in full-time education) or on certain benefits.

Alternatives to legal aid

If you cannot get legal aid, you may be able to get free advice from:

the Law Centres Network

Citizens Advice

AdviceNow

You can also pay for advice from a local legal adviser or solicitor.

How to claim

Check if you can get legal aid in England or Wales.

Search for a legal aid solicitor if you’re in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Your legal adviser or family mediator will apply for legal aid on your behalf. If you qualify, the government will pay their costs directly.

Getting legal aid in an emergency

You can get emergency help if you need urgent representation in court, for example to keep you and your children safe from domestic abuse.

Your legal adviser will apply for Emergency Legal Representation to cover any immediate action. You still need to apply for legal aid in the normal way for any ongoing work.

Criminal cases

A police custody officer will help you get legal aid if you’ve been arrested and held at a police station. You’ll be offered free advice:

by telephone (if the offence is less serious)

from the police station’s (a police station) duty solicitor

from your own legal adviser

If you’re charged or go to court

A solicitor will check if you qualify for legal aid if you’re charged with a crime or have to go to court. You can then:

get advice from the same organisation that helped you at the police station

ask to speak to the court duty solicitor (the police station’s (a police station) duty solicitor)

find your own criminal legal aid solicitor

What you need to bring to your legal adviser

You’ll need to give information about the following for both yourself and your partner:

benefits - including benefits statements

income, savings and spending - including pay slips and bank statements

National Insurance numbers

You’ll also need copies of evidence relating to your case, eg:

court documents

marriage and birth certificates (for family cases)

relevant letters

Tell your legal adviser if any of your financial circumstances change.

Domestic abuse or violence

You might be able to get legal aid if you have evidence that you or your children have been victims of domestic abuse or violence and you cannot afford to pay legal costs.

You do not have to get evidence before talking to a legal aid solicitor or Civil Legal Advice (CLA), but they’ll need to see it before deciding whether you can get legal aid.

What counts as domestic abuse for legal aid

You or your children must have been victims of either:

domestic abuse or violence

financial control, for example being stopped from accessing a joint bank account

What counts as evidence

You’ll usually need to show that you or your children were at risk of harm from an ex-partner.

You can ask for evidence from:

the courts

the police

a multi-agency risk assessment conference (MARAC)

social services

a health professional, for example a doctor, nurse, midwife, psychologist or health visitor

a refuge manager

a domestic violence support service

your bank, for example credit card accounts, loan documents and statements

your employer, or education or training provider

the provider of any benefits you’ve received

How to get evidence

You can download and print a sample letter to send to the police, courts, or medical and social services.

This helps you get the proof you need, depending on whether:

you’ve been a victim

your children have been victims

Give the letter to the person you’re asking to provide evidence. They’ll be able to fill in the details for you.

You might have to pay a fee for this.

When you have the evidence

Show the evidence to your legal aid solicitor or CLA adviser.

Legal problems abroad

You can apply for legal aid in:

Albania

Austria

Azerbaijan

Belgium

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bulgaria

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Georgia

Greece

Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Montenegro

Netherlands

North Macedonia

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Serbia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Turkey

Ukraine

You can get help with your application from a publicly funded solicitor, including getting documents translated.

Contact the embassy or consulate of that country or the Legal Aid Agency to find out how to apply.


Represent yourself in court

Overview

You have the right to speak for yourself in court without a solicitor or other legal professional.

You may choose to do this (speak) because:

you think it’s better to talk directly to the judge, jury or magistrates yourself

you cannot afford to pay legal fees

If you’re considering representing yourself because you cannot afford legal costs, check if you can get legal aid instead.

You’ll be known as a ‘litigant in person’ if you represent yourself. You’ll also be known as an ‘applicant’, ‘respondent’ or ‘defendant’ depending on whether your case is heard in a family, civil or criminal court.

Read Advicenow’s guides to going to court for advice on how to conduct your case.

There are different courts and rules in Scotland.

Someone with you in court

You may be allowed to have someone to help you in court by taking notes and giving advice, but they (Someone with you in court) cannot:

speak for you

interfere with proceedings

sign documents on your behalf

This person (Someone with you in court) is known as a ‘McKenzie friend’.

The judge will decide whether you can have a McKenzie friend with you in court.

Read guidance on what a McKenzie friend can and cannot do.

Get legal advice

You can still get legal advice to help you with your case, even if you choose to represent yourself in court.

Find a solicitor.

Read advice on what you should consider before going to court for a debt, dispute or personal injury claim.

Divorce and separation involving children

You’ll be referred to as the ‘applicant’ if you brought the case, for example you filed the divorce papers.

You’ll be known as the ‘respondent’ if you’ve received divorce papers or a request for a separation, or a contact order or residence order for a child.

Before you go to court

You must normally go to mediation before you go to court.

The court will not hear your case until you send them a C100 form.

Read guidance about whether you should take your case to court.

Read the ‘Guide for Separated Parents: Children and the Family Courts’.

Find out more about:

how to apply for a court order

the types of court order you can apply for or respond to

what the court does after you apply for a court order

getting free and independent help with forms and documents

Divorce and separation: money and property

You’ll be referred to as the:

‘applicant’ if you brought the case, for example you filed a divorce petition

‘respondent’ if someone else has brought the case

Find out what you must do before you go to court if you’re divorcing or separating and you’ve a dispute about money or property.

You must normally consider mediation before you go to court.

The court will not hear your case until you send them (The court) a C100 form.


Prison life

Arriving at prison

When someone arrives at prison they have at least one interview and assessment with a qualified professional so they:

know what their (someone) rights are

get help with their (someone) physical and mental health, for example with sexual health or drug and alcohol problems

are told what courses they (someone) can do in prison

understand prison rules and procedures

The prisoner (someone) gets a prisoner number and their (someone) property is recorded and put somewhere safe until they (someone)’re released.

Security categories

Prisoners are given a security category based on:

how likely they (Prisoners) are to try to escape

their (Prisoners) risk of causing harm to other prisoners and prison staff

A prisoner (Prisoners) may be transferred to another prison with a different security category at any time.

Prisoner privileges and rights

Prisoners who follow rules can earn privileges. This is called the ‘Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme’. A prisoner may be able to:

get more visits from family or friends

be allowed to spend more money each week

Privileges are different in each prison - staff can explain to the prisoner (A prisoner) how the scheme works.

Rights

Prisoners have rights, including:

protection from bullying and racial harassment

being able to get in contact with a solicitor

healthcare - including support for a mental health condition

All prisoners should be able to spend between 30 minutes and an hour outside in the open air each day.

Punishments

A prisoner who breaks prison rules is normally punished. They can be:

kept in their (A prisoner who breaks prison rules) cell for up to 21 days

given up to 42 extra days in prison on top of their (A prisoner who breaks prison rules) original sentence

The prison can take away privileges, for example removing a TV from a cell.

Healthcare in prison

Prisoners get the same healthcare and treatment as anyone outside of prison.

Treatment is free but has to be approved by a prison doctor or member of the healthcare team.

Prisons do not have hospitals, but many have in-patient beds.

Most problems are dealt with by the healthcare team. If they (the healthcare team) cannot, the prison may:

get an expert to visit the prison

arrange for treatment in an outside hospital

The healthcare team can ask the prisoner’s family doctor for their records, but only if the prisoner agrees to it.

Special help and support

Prisoners can get specialist support, for example if they:

have drug or alcohol problems

have HIV or AIDS

are disabled or have a learning difficulty

Refusing medical treatment

A prisoner can refuse treatment. However, the healthcare team may choose to give treatment if the prisoner (the prisoner’s) is not capable of making decisions themselves (the prisoner’s) (for example they (the prisoner’s) have a mental health condition).

Wherever possible, the healthcare team will discuss this with the prisoner’s family first.

Vulnerable prisoners

Staff are trained to spot prisoners at risk of bullying, suicide or self-harm. The prisoner may get their own case manager who will make sure they:

are asked about their (The prisoner) mental health, for example if they (The prisoner)’re feeling depressed

get regular support from a health specialist

Most prisons also have ‘listener schemes’ that offer emotional support in confidence - normally from fellow prisoners.

Psychiatric hospitals

A prisoner can be moved to a secure psychiatric hospital for their own safety. This only happens if they meet certain conditions under the Mental Health Act.

Once the prisoner (A prisoner) gets better, they (A prisoner) return to prison.

If you’re worried about a prisoner

If you’re worried about a prisoner:

tell a member of prison staff when you visit

contact the prison’s ‘Safer Custody Team’

Some prisons run confidential Safer Custody hotlines where you can leave a message explaining your concerns. Find a prison and check the contact section for details.

Pregnancy and childcare in prison

Women who give birth in prison can keep their baby for the first 18 months in a mother and baby unit.

A prisoner with a child under 18 months old can apply to bring their child to prison with them.

Social Services arrange for children over 18 months to be cared for (for example by the prisoner’s parents, or fostering).

Applying for a place in a mother and baby unit

The prisoner (children over 18 months) can apply for a space in a mother and baby unit when they (children over 18 months) enter prison.

An admissions board will decide if it’s the best thing for the child (a child under 18 months old).

If there are no places in the prison the mother first goes to, they may be offered a place in another unit.

If there are no spaces in any unit, arrangements must be made for the child to be cared for outside prison.

If the mother is refused a place they (the mother) can appeal - the prison will explain how.

Separation plans are made when the mother enters prison if the child will reach 18 months before her (the mother) sentence is over.

For prisoners with sentences of 18 months or over, arrangements are normally made for the child to be cared for outside prison.

Prisons with mother and baby units

The following prisons have mother and baby units:

Bronzefield

Eastwood Park

Styal

New Hall

Peterborough

Askham Grange

Education and work in prison

Courses are normally available to help prisoners get new skills, for example learning to read and write, use computers and do basic maths. Most prisoners get an Individual Learning Plan listing courses and training.

Qualifications and skills

Most courses lead to qualifications that are recognised by employers outside prison, for example GCSEs or NVQs. Prisoners may be able to do a distance learning course, for example Open University.

A prisoner can learn skills, for example woodwork, engineering or gardening.

Working in prison

Many prisoners get the chance to work while carrying out their sentence, for example making clothes and furniture or electrical engineering.

This (work) is done in prison workshops and is normally paid work.

Prisoners can also work around the prison itself, for example in kitchens and laundries.

A ‘low-risk’ prisoner may be allowed to work in the community.

You can find out what education and work
opportunities each prison offers.


After a crime: your rights

Your rights

You have the right to contact the police and be kept informed about the investigation if you’re:

the victim of a crime

You have different rights if you’re the victim of a crime in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

When you report the crime

The police must give you:

written confirmation of the crime you’ve reported

a crime (the crime) reference number

contact details for the police officer dealing with your case

They (the police) must also:

tell you clearly what will happen next

tell you how often they (the police)’ll give you an update on their (the police) investigation (the investigation)

carry out a ‘needs assessment’ to find out what support you should get

ask a victim support organisation to contact you within 2 days

They (the police) must also ask if you want to write a statement about how the crime has affected you. This is called a ‘victim personal statement’. It can be used later when the court is deciding on a punishment.

During the police investigation (the investigation)

The police must give you updates on their (the police) investigation (the investigation), and tell you within 5 days when a suspect is:

arrested or charged

set free or released on bail

given a caution, reprimand, final warning, or penalty notice

When the police have finished their (the police) investigation, they (the police) can pass the information to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) who then decide if there’s enough evidence to take the case (your case) to court.

If the police or the CPS decide to drop the charge, they must tell you within 5 days. You can ask for a review if you disagree with their decision.

Privacy

The police might give some information about the crime to the media to help with the investigation. They (the police)’ll normally ask your permission before they (the police) do this.

If you’ve been the victim of a sexual assault or rape, it’s against the law for anyone to publish your name, photo or anything else that could identify you.

If the case (your case) goes to court

Your local Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) must tell you immediately where and when the trial will be.

If you’re asked to give evidence, the police will pass your details to a Witness Care Officer who will support you before and during the trial.

If the defendant is found guilty, you may be able to read your victim personal statement (a statement about how the crime has affected you) to them.

After the trial ends, your Witness Care Officer (the defendant) must tell you:

the verdict - within 24 hours

what sentence the offender gets - if they’re found guilty

if the offender appeals their (the offender) conviction or sentence

You can also:

claim compensation - if the crime was violent

get free help and advice from the Victims’ Information Service or Victim Contact Scheme

meet the offender (‘restorative justice’) - contact your local victim support organisation to arrange this

If the crime was serious or you're vulnerable

You may get extra support if you:

are the victim of a serious crime

are under 18

have a mental health condition or lack mental capacity

have a disability

are a close relative of someone who died because of a crime - for example their partner, child or sibling

have been a victim of crime repeatedly - for example you’re being targeted, harassed or stalked

Serious crimes

You’re the victim of a serious crime if it was:

arson with intent to endanger life

attempted murder

domestic abuse

kidnapping or false imprisonment

a hate crime

human trafficking

a sexual offence

terrorism

wounding or grievous bodily harm with intent

What support you’ll get

You’re entitled to:

get information quicker - usually within 24 hours

protection in court if you need to give evidence

specialist help and advice

a Family Liaison Officer - if you’re a close relative of the victim

Contact the police officer dealing with your case or your local Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) about getting this extra help (extra support).

Make a complaint

You can complain if you’ve been:

treated unprofessionally, disrespectfully or insensitively

discriminated against

The Victim’s Code has full details of how the police, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and other organisations should treat you if you’re the victim of crime.

Make your complaint (a complaint) to the organisation you want to complain about. For example:

the police

the CPS or your Witness Care Officer

the court

The organisation (the organisation you want to complain about) must confirm they (the organisation you want to complain about)’ve received your complaint (a complaint) within 10 days.

If you do not agree with the decision

You can complain to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman if you do not agree with the decision about your complaint (the decision) (a complaint).


Get an injunction if you've been the victim of domestic abuse

How to apply

You can apply for an ‘injunction’ if you’ve been the victim of domestic abuse. An injunction is a court order that either:

protects you or your child from being harmed or threatened by the person who’s abused you - this is called a ‘non-molestation order’

decides who can live in the family home or enter the surrounding area - this is called an ‘occupation order’

The person named in the injunction (An injunction) can be arrested if they break it (An injunction).

Get advice on applying for an injunction from a charity, for example Refuge, Women’s Aid, Citizens Advice or the Men’s Advice Line.

You may be able to get free legal representation.

If you’re in immediate danger of being abused or have been abused, report it to the police.

Apply online

You can use the RCJ Citizens Advice CourtNav service to prepare an injunction application online.

You’ll need to:

create an online account

explain what happened to you

include the name and address of the person who’s abused you (The person named in the injunction (An injunction))

As part of your application (an injunction application), you can choose a law firm to review it (an injunction application).

If you’re unable to get legal aid or pay for legal advice, your application (an injunction application) can be sent back to a legal adviser at RCJ Citizens Advice to check for free.

The legal adviser (a legal adviser at RCJ Citizens Advice) will tell you if you need to make a court application and how to submit one.

Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), your hearing may take place over a video or phone call. If you need a face-to-face hearing, you’ll need to explain why in your application.

Apply by email or post

Follow these steps to apply for an injunction by email or post.

Check if you’re eligible to apply for a non-molestation order or an occupation order.

Download and fill in the application form (form FL401) and make 2 copies.

Write your witness statement telling the court what has happened and asking for the relevant order.

At the bottom of the witness statement (the application form (form FL401)) write a statement of truth. Use the following words: “I believe that the facts stated in this witness statement are true.” Sign and date the statement of truth.

Download and fill in form C8 if you want to keep your address and telephone number private.

Email or send all the documents to a court which deals with domestic abuse cases - there’s no fee.

Many courts are closed because of coronavirus (coronavirus (COVID-19)). You’ll need to check that the court (a court which deals with domestic abuse cases) is open and staffed before you send in your application.

Emergency orders

If you need protection immediately, ask for an emergency order when you apply. You do not have to tell the person you want protection from that you’re applying so it’s known as a ‘without notice’ or ‘ex-parte’ application.

The court will hold a hearing which you must attend. It (the court) may issue an order at the hearing.

You’ll still have to tell that person (the person you want protection from that you’re applying) about your application after the order (an order) has been issued.

An emergency order will usually last until your hearing (a hearing which you must attend).

If you’re 17 or under

If you’re under 16 you’ll need permission to apply from the High Court (the court).

If you’re 16 or 17 you’ll need to appoint a ‘litigation friend’ to represent you in court – this is usually a parent, family member or close friend.

After you’ve applied

After you’ve applied you must arrange for the person you’re applying to get an injunction against (the person you want protection from that you’re applying) to be told about your application.

Who can apply: non-molestation order

You can usually apply if you’re a victim of domestic abuse and the person you want to be protected from (‘the respondent’) is:

someone you’re having or have had a relationship with

a family member

someone you’re living or have lived with

Check the following lists to make sure you can apply.

If you’re under 16 you need permission from the High Court (the court) to apply.

Husband, wife, civil partner or other relationship

You can apply if you’re a victim of domestic abuse and the respondent is your:

husband, wife or civil partner

former husband, former wife or former civil partner

fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner

former fiancé, former fiancée or former proposed civil partner – if your engagement or agreement to form a civil partnership ended less than 3 years ago

boyfriend, girlfriend, partner or a person you’re in or have been in a relationship with for more than 6 months

If you were engaged to or had agreed to form a civil partnership with the respondent, you’ll need to provide evidence, such as a ring or statement from a witness who attended a ceremony or celebration.

Family member

You can apply if the respondent is a close family member, for example a parent, brother, sister, aunt or uncle.

People who have parental responsibility for your child or grandchild

You can apply if you have a child or grandchild (your child or grandchild) and the respondent is the child’s (your child or grandchild) parent or person you share parental responsibility with.

If your child (or grandchild) has been adopted, you can also apply to get an injunction against their (your child or grandchild):

adoptive parent

anyone who has applied to adopt them (your child or grandchild)

anyone the child (your child or grandchild) has been placed with for adoption

You can also apply for an order against the child or grandchild (your child or grandchild) if they (your child or grandchild)’ve been adopted.

You can report anyone who abuses you to your neighbourhood police team.

Who can apply: occupation order

You can apply for an occupation order (occupation order) if you’re a victim of domestic abuse and meet the requirements. The order (occupation order) will say who can live in the family home or enter the surrounding area.

You can apply if:

you own or rent the home and it is, was, or was intended to be shared with a husband or wife, civil partner, cohabitant, family member, person you’re engaged to or parent of your child

you do not own or rent the home but you’re married or in a civil partnership with the owner and you’re living in the home (known as ‘matrimonial home rights’)

your former husband, wife or civil partner is the owner or tenant, and the home is, was, or was intended to be your shared matrimonial home

the person you cohabit or cohabited with is the owner or tenant, and the home is, was, or was intended to be your shared home

After you submit your application

You’ll be given a document called a ‘Notice of Proceedings’ by the court. This tells you when your court hearing will take place.

Telling people about your application

The court will send you back a sealed copy of your application. You must arrange for the sealed copy and your witness statement to be ‘served’ on the person named in the application (your application). This means making sure they get a copy of the documents in person.

Your solicitor will do this (arrange) if you’re using one or you can ask the court to serve the documents (the sealed copy and your witness statement) for free.

Do not serve the documents (the sealed copy and your witness statement) yourself.

Your court hearing

Your hearing (your court hearing) will be held in private (sometimes called ‘in chambers’). In most cases only you and the person you’re applying for an injunction against (the person named in the application (your application)), and any legal representatives, can attend. Read about what to expect when you go to a court hearing.

Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), your hearing (your court hearing) may take place over a video or phone call.

The court will provide an interpreter if you asked for one when you applied for the injunction. They can translate what happens during the hearing (your court hearing) but they cannot represent you or give you legal advice.

Contact the court before the hearing (your court hearing) if you need support or extra protection.

The judge may make a decision without a hearing if, for example:

you’re self-isolating because of coronavirus (coronavirus (COVID-19))

the person you’re applying for an injunction against (the person named in the application (your application)) lives with you

This is called ‘on paper’.

Get a decision

At the end of the hearing (your court hearing) the court will make one of the following decisions:

the person you’ve applied for an injunction against (the person named in the application (your application)) must make an ‘undertaking’ (a promise) to do or not do something

you must provide more information - the court may issue a short-term order (an ‘interim order’) to protect you while you get this information

it (the court) will issue an order - when that ends they (the court) may hold another hearing to decide whether to renew the order

You’ll get a copy of the order (an order) if the court issues one. It (an order) will say what the respondent (the person named in the application (your application)) can and cannot do.

If your order (an order) expires and you still want protection, you’ll have to apply again.

After the hearing (your court hearing)

You must arrange for the order (an order) to be ‘served’ on the respondent (the person named in the application (your application)). This means making sure they (the person named in the application (your application)) get a copy of the order (an order) in person.

If you have a solicitor, they will arrange for the documents to be served. If you do not have a solicitor you can:

ask the court to serve the documents - you will not need to pay for this

hire a professional process server to serve the documents

Do not serve the documents yourself.

The court will send the order (an order) and the statement of service to the officer in charge of your neighbourhood police station or the police station named in the court order.

If the person named in your injunction (the person named in the application (your application)) does not follow the court order (an order), you can call the police.

Complaints and appeals

You can complain to the court where you had the hearing (the court) if you’re unhappy with the service they (the court) provided.

You may be able to make an appeal about the decision if you think there’s been a serious mistake. You’ll have to get permission to make the appeal and there’s usually a fee. Read the guidance on how to make an appeal.


Youth crime prevention programmes

Overview

There are various prevention programmes that work to keep young people away from crime. They are run within local communities, and can involve parents and families.

Young people are placed on these programmes if:

they (Young people) have been in trouble with the police

they (Young people)’re ‘at risk’ of committing a crime

they (Young people)’re involved in anti-social behaviour

Attending one of these programmes is voluntary. The young person and their parents or carers have to be happy with everything before it starts.

Many programmes are run by the council’s local youth offending team or by other local organisations like youth charities.

To find out about youth crime prevention programmes in your area, contact your local youth offending team.

How young people are put on a programme

Young people are usually sent - or ‘referred’ - to one of these programmes by the police or the youth offending team (the council’s local youth offending team).

However, they (Young people) can also be referred by a teacher, social worker or parent.

Assessment - making sure it’s the right programme

Before anything happens, the youth workers running the prevention programme will assess the young person to:

make sure a prevention programme will help

decide which type of support will be most suitable

The young person will be involved in the assessment (assess) and will be asked questions about their (the young person) life and background.

What these programmes are and how they work

Youth crime prevention programmes have different names and do different things, but they all involve activities to help keep young people away from crime. Young people can also learn new skills or get advice about school or jobs.

Some are run in groups while others are for just one young person supervised by an adult.

Two of the main prevention programmes are ‘youth inclusion programmes’ and ‘youth inclusion and support panels’, although there are many others.

Youth inclusion programmes

These (‘youth inclusion programmes’) are for 8 to 17 year-olds and usually last for set lengths of time, eg 6 months. Sometimes a young person can attend for longer if they need to, if they find the activities helpful.

Youth inclusion and support panels

These panels - made up of people like local youth or social workers - work with 8 to 13 year-olds to make sure they get access to local services that will help them stay out of trouble. These services could be things like getting extra help at school, or treatment for health or mental health problems.

Both these programmes (Two of the main prevention programmes) use something called an ‘intervention plan’ that everyone must agree on, including the young person and their family. This plan describes what the young person is expected to do, as well as what support the young person will get.

Young people can also be mentored, and sometimes their families can also be involved.

Mentoring

A mentor is a specially trained volunteer who spends time helping someone.

They (A mentor) can help a young person with things like:

doing better at school

coping with bullying

applying for jobs or colleges

Sometimes this personal help (help) can be more effective than sending a young person on a group activity. A mentoring programme doesn’t usually have a set time limit - a young person can be mentored for as long as is helpful.

Mentors are not connected to the police or a school.

Involving parents and families

Usually, parents and families will be involved in helping a young person on a crime prevention programme. This could mean anything from attending classes with their child, to just making sure the young person does what they (someone) are asked.

Parenting programmes

If a young person gets into trouble with the law, their parents or carers might be asked to go on a parenting programme. Usually, they will be asked to attend voluntarily, but sometimes they will have to go.

This (a parenting programme) can be part of a youth crime prevention programme, and sometimes it (a parenting programme) will be separate.

How these programmes work will change from person to person, and will be planned in a way that’s right for the young person and their family. They could involve:

improving parenting skills

making sure nothing at home is causing the young person to commit crime


Disability rights

Overview

As a disabled person, you have rights to protect you from discrimination. These rights cover most areas including:

employment

education

dealing with the police

The Equality Act 2010 and the United Nations (UN) Convention on disability rights help to enforce, protect and promote your rights.

Employment

It’s against the law for employers to discriminate against you because of a disability. The Equality Act 2010 protects you and covers areas including:

application forms

interview arrangements

aptitude or proficiency tests

job offers

terms of employment, including pay

promotion, transfer and training opportunities

dismissal or redundancy

discipline and grievances

Reasonable adjustments in the workplace

An employer has to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to avoid you being put at a disadvantage compared to non-disabled people in the workplace. For example, adjusting your working hours or providing you with a special piece of equipment to help you do the job.

Recruitment

An employer who’s recruiting staff may make limited enquiries about your health or disability.

You can only be asked about your health or disability:

to help decide if you can carry out a task that is an essential part of the work

to help find out if you can take part in an interview

to help decide if the interviewers need to make reasonable adjustments for you in a selection process

to help monitoring

if they (An employer) want to increase the number of disabled people they (An employer) employ

if they (An employer) need to know for the purposes of national security checks

You may be asked whether you have a health condition or disability on an application form or in an interview. You need to think about whether the question is one that is allowed to be asked at that stage of recruitment.

Redundancy and retirement

You can’t be chosen for redundancy just because you’re disabled. The selection process for redundancy must be fair and balanced for all employees.

Your employer cannot force you to retire if you become disabled.

Education

It’s against the law for a school or other education provider to treat disabled students unfavourably. This includes:

direct discrimination, for example refusing admission to a student or excluding them because of disability

indirect discrimination, for example only providing application forms in one format that may not be accessible

discrimination arising from a disability, for example a disabled pupil is prevented from going outside at break time because it takes too long to get there

harassment, for example a teacher shouts at a disabled student for not paying attention when the student’s disability stops them from easily concentrating

victimisation, for example suspending a disabled student because they’ve complained about harassment

Reasonable adjustments

An education provider has a duty to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to make sure disabled students are not discriminated against. These changes could include providing extra support and aids (like specialist teachers or equipment).

Schools are not subject to the reasonable adjustment duty to make alterations to physical features, like adding ramps. They must make the buildings accessible for their disabled pupils as part of their overall planning duties.

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

All publicly funded pre-schools, nurseries, state schools and local authorities must try to identify and help assess children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

If a child has an an education, health and care (EHC) plan or a statement of special educational needs, these must be reviewed annually. From year 9 the child will get a full review to understand what support they will need to prepare them for adulthood.

Higher education

All universities and higher education colleges should have a person in charge of disability issues that you can talk to about the support they (Schools) offer.

You can also ask local social services for an assessment to help with your day-to-day living needs.

Police

If you’re being questioned or interviewed at a police station you have certain rights depending on your impairment.

Deaf, hearing-impaired or speech difficulties

The police should arrange for an interpreter to be present with you. The police can interview you without an interpreter if a delay would result in harm to people, property or evidence.

Learning disabilities

The police should only interview someone who has a learning disability when a responsible person (referred to as an ‘appropriate adult’) is present. The appropriate adult should not work for the police and should have experience of people with learning disabilities. The police can interview you without an appropriate adult if a delay would result in harm to people, property or evidence.

Right to medical treatment

If you’re being kept in a police cell, you have the right to a medical examination by a healthcare worker. A healthcare worker may be a paramedic, nurse or a police surgeon (sometimes referred to as a ‘Forensic Medical Examiner’).

If you do not want to be examined by the healthcare worker provided, you could be examined by a general practitioner (GP) that you choose - if they’re available. You may have to pay for this, and this payment will be noted down.

The Equality Act 2010 and UN Convention

The Equality Act 2010 protects you from discrimination. It (The Equality Act 2010) provides legal rights for you in the areas of:

employment

education

access to goods, services and facilities

buying and renting land or property

The Equality Act 2010 also protects your rights if you have an association with a disabled person, for example a carer or parent.

Get more information about the Equality Act 2010.

United Nations (UN) Convention on disability rights (UN Convention)

The UN Convention on disability rights (UN Convention) has been agreed by the UK to protect and promote the rights of disabled people.

Get more information about the UN (UN Convention) Convention on disability rights (UN Convention) from the Office for Disability Issues.

Further help and advice

Check if you can get legal aid to help with your legal costs if you think you’ve been discriminated against. You can get advice from Civil Legal Advice if you’re eligible.

You can get advice and information on your rights from:

Equality Advisory Support Service

Disability Rights UK (the UK)

Advicenow

Citizens Advice


Medical conditions, disabilities and driving

Telling DVLA about a medical condition or disability

You must tell DVLA if you have a driving licence and:

you develop a ‘notifiable’ medical condition or disability

a condition or disability (a ‘notifiable’ medical condition or disability) has got worse since you got your licence

Notifiable conditions are anything that could affect your ability to drive safely. They can include:

diabetes or taking insulin

syncope (fainting)

heart conditions (including atrial fibrillation and pacemakers)

sleep apnoea

epilepsy

strokes

glaucoma

How to tell DVLA

Check if you need to tell DVLA about your condition to find the forms or questionnaires you need. The address you need is on the forms.

If you’re in Northern Ireland you must contact the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).

There are different forms for different conditions and disabilities.

Contact DVLA if you’re not sure what to do.

You could be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA about a condition that might affect your ability to drive safely. You could also be prosecuted if you have an accident.

Surrendering your licence

You must surrender your licence to DVLA if any of the following are true:

your doctor tells you to stop driving for 3 months or more

your medical condition affects your ability to drive safely and lasts for 3 months or more

you do not meet the required standards for driving because of your medical condition

You can apply to get your licence back when you meet the medical standards for driving again.

First licence or renewal if you’re 70 or over

You must also tell DVLA about notifiable conditions if you:

apply for your first licence (First licence)

renew your licence (if you’re 70 or over)

You’ll be asked for this information in your application form. You do not need to contact DVLA separately.

What happens after you tell DVLA

You’ll usually get a decision within 6 weeks. You’ll get a letter from DVLA if it’s going to take longer.

DVLA might:

contact your doctor or consultant

arrange for you to be examined

ask you to take a driving assessment, or an eyesight or driving test

You can usually keep driving while DVLA are considering your application.

If you’ve told DVLA about a condition when applying to renew your licence, follow the guidance about driving that’s in the form.

Contact DVLA if you need advice or to check on your case.

What DVLA will decide

DVLA will assess your medical condition or disability and decide if:

you need to get a new driving licence

you can have a shorter licence - for 1, 2, 3 or 5 years

you need to adapt your car by fitting special controls

you must stop driving and give up your licence

You need to adapt your vehicle

If you’ve been told that you must adapt your car (your vehicle), you get an independent assessment of your adaptation needs through Driving Mobility.

Find out more about adapting your vehicle and where to get special controls fitted through the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers.

You must stop driving

You’ll be given a medical reason why you must stop driving, and be told if and when you can reapply for your licence.

If you disagree with DVLA’s (DVLA) decision

You can write to DVLA if you disagree with the decision to stop you driving (DVLA’s (DVLA) decision). You must be able to provide relevant information that was not included in the original assessment.

You must also include:

proof that you meet the required standards for driving (these are explained in the decision letter DVLA sent you)

the reference number from your decision letter (the decision letter DVLA sent you)

You can also appeal the decision (DVLA’s (DVLA) decision) if you contact your local magistrate’s court within 6 months, or your local sheriff’s court in Scotland within 21 days.

You may want to get legal advice before you appeal - you might be able to get legal aid to pay for it.

You must tell DVLA in writing if you choose to appeal.

Make a complaint

You can make a complaint if you’re unhappy with the service you get from DVLA.

Renewing or reapplying for your licence

How you reapply for or renew your licence depends on if you had to give up your licence, or if you have a short-term licence.

You’ve got a short-term licence

DVLA will send you a renewal letter 90 days before your 1, 2, 3 or 5-year licence is due to expire.

Renew your licence online, or send the renewal reminder (a renewal letter) back by post.

You gave up your licence and stopped driving

The letter DVLA sends you when your licence is taken away tells you if you have to wait before you can reapply.

You must check with your doctor that you’re fit to drive before you reapply for your licence, if it was taken away because of a medical condition.


Towing with a car

What you can tow

The rules on what you can tow are different depending on when you passed your driving test.

View your driving licence information to see if you’re allowed to tow.

Licences issued from 1 January 1997

If you passed your car driving test on or after 1 January 1997 you can:

drive a car or van up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM

tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg

MAM is the limit on how much the vehicle can weigh when it’s loaded.

You have to pass the car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier.

Licences issued before 1 January 1997

If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg MAM. View your driving licence information to check.

You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.

Towing heavier combinations

Follow these steps if you want to tow heavier combinations.

Apply for provisional licence for a medium-sized lorry and trailer (category C1+E).

Pass the lorry theory test.

Pass the C1+E driving test.

You need to take extra Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) tests if driving the medium-sized lorry is the main part of your job.

Once you’ve done this you can drive vehicles and trailers with a combined weight of up to 12,000kg MAM.

Towing weight and width limits

Most cars have a maximum weight they can tow. It’s usually listed in the handbook or specification sheet.

Alternatively the vehicle’s ‘gross train weight’ may be listed on the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate on the car. This is normally under the bonnet or inside the driver’s door.

The gross train weight (the vehicle’s ‘gross train weight’) is the weight of the fully-loaded car plus fully-loaded trailer and must not be exceeded.

If your VIN plate doesn’t list a train weight, you should not use your vehicle for towing.

Width and length

The maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres.

The maximum length for a trailer towed by a vehicle weighing up to 3,500kg is 7 metres. This length does not include the A-frame.

Trailers, caravans and towing equipment

The equipment you use with your trailer or caravan must:

meet certain safety standards

be used correctly

You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

Carry out safety checks to make sure you’re using the trailer and equipment legally.

Towing bars

If you get a tow bar for your car, it needs to be ‘type approved’. This means it meets EU regulations and is designed for your car.

Type-approved tow bars have a label with:

an approval number

details of the vehicles it’s approved for

If your car was first used before 1 August 1998, your tow bar doesn’t need to be type-approved.

Towing mirrors

You must have an adequate view of the road behind you.

Fit suitable towing mirrors if your trailer or caravan is wider than the rear of your car.

You can be fined up to £1,000 and get 3 penalty points for towing without proper towing mirrors.

Trailer or caravan brakes

Your trailer must have a working brake system if it weighs over 750kg when it’s loaded.

Some smaller trailers also have brakes, but these are optional.

Any brakes must be in good working order.

You must use a breakaway cable or secondary coupling in case the trailer becomes detached from your car.

Number plates

You must display the same number plate on your trailer as on your towing car.

If you tow more than one trailer at a time, fix the number plate to the trailer at the back.

Towing an American caravan or trailer

American trailers and caravans don’t always meet European safety regulations.

If you want to use an American caravan or trailer in the UK or the EU, you must first check that it’s legal.

Read more about brakes and couplings for American caravans and trailers.


Vehicle tax rates

Cars registered on or after 1 April 2017

You need to pay tax when the vehicle (Cars registered on or after 1 April 2017) is first registered, this covers the vehicle (Cars registered on or after 1 April 2017) for 12 months.

You’ll then pay vehicle tax every 6 or 12 months at a different rate.

First tax payment when you register the vehicle

You’ll pay a rate based on a vehicle’s CO2 emissions the first time it’s registered.

This also applies to some motorhomes.

You have to pay a higher rate for diesel cars that do not meet the Real Driving Emissions 2 (RDE2) standard for nitrogen oxide emissions. You can ask your car’s manufacturer if your car meets the RDE2 standard.

CO2 emissions | Diesel cars (TC49) that meet the RDE2 standard and petrol cars (TC48) | All other diesel cars (TC49) | Alternative fuel cars (TC59)

0g/km | £0 | £0 | £0

1 to 50g/km | £10 | £25 | £0

51 to 75g/km | £25 | £115 | £15

76 to 90g/km | £115 | £140 | £105

91 to 100g/km | £140 | £160 | £130

101 to 110g/km | £160 | £180 | £150

111 to 130g/km | £180 | £220 | £170

131 to 150g/km | £220 | £555 | £210

151 to 170g/km | £555 | £895 | £545

171 to 190g/km | £895 | £1,345 | £885

191 to 225g/km | £1,345 | £1,910 | £1,335

226 to 255g/km | £1,910 | £2,245 | £1,900

Over 255g/km | £2,245 | £2,245 | £2,235

This payment covers your vehicle for 12 months.

Rates for second tax payment onwards

Fuel type | Single 12 month payment | Single 12 month payment by Direct Debit | Total of 12 monthly payments by Direct Debit | Single 6 month payment | Single 6 month payment by Direct Debit

Petrol or diesel | £155 | £155 | £162.75 | £85.25 | £81.38

Electric | £0 | N/A | N/A | £0 | N/A

Alternative | £145 | £145 | £152.25 | £79.75 | £76.13

Alternative fuel vehicles include hybrids, bioethanol and liquid petroleum gas.

Vehicles with a list price of more than £40,000

You have to pay an extra £335 a year if you have a car or motorhome with a ‘list price’ (the published price before any discounts) of more than £40,000. You do not have to pay this if you have a zero emission vehicle.

You only have to pay this rate (an extra £335 a year) for 5 years (from the second time the vehicle is taxed).

Check the list price with your dealer so you know how much vehicle tax you’ll have to pay.

Petrol or diesel | £490 | £490 | £514.50 | £269.50 | £257.25

Alternative | £480 | £480 | £504 | £264 | £252

Cars registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017

The rate of vehicle tax is based on fuel type and CO2 emissions.

CO2 emission details are shown on the car’s V5C registration certificate, or you can find emission details online.

Petrol car (TC48) and diesel car (TC49)

Band and CO2 emission | Single 12 month payment | Single 12 month payment by Direct Debit | Total of 12 monthly instalments by Direct Debit | Single 6 month payment | Single 6 month payment by Direct Debit

A: Up to 100g/km | £0 | £0 | N/A | N/A | N/A

B: 101 to 110g/km | £20 | £20 | £21 | N/A | N/A

C: 111 to 120g/km | £30 | £30 | £31.50 | N/A | N/A

D: 121 to 130g/km | £130 | £130 | £136.50 | £71.50 | £68.25

E: 131 to 140g/km | £155 | £155 | £162.75 | £85.25 | £81.38

F: 141 to 150g/km | £170 | £170 | £178.50 | £93.50 | £89.25

G: 151 to 165g/km | £210 | £210 | £220.50 | £115.50 | £110.25

H: 166 to 175g/km | £250 | £250 | £262.50 | £137.50 | £131.25

I: 176 to 185g/km | £275 | £275 | £288.75 | £151.25 | £144.38

J: 186 to 200g/km | £315 | £315 | £330.75 | £173.25 | £165.38

K*: 201 to 225g/km | £340 | £340 | £357 | £187 | £178.50

L: 226 to 255g/km | £585 | £585 | £614.25 | £321.75 | £307.13

M: Over 255g/km | £600 | £600 | £630 | £330 | £315

*Includes cars with a CO2 figure over 225g/km but were registered before 23 March 2006.

Alternative fuel car (TC59)

A: Up to 100g/km | £0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A

B: 101 to 110g/km | £10 | £10 | £10.50 | N/A | N/A

C: 111 to 120g/km | £20 | £20 | £21 | N/A | N/A

D: 121 to 130g/km | £120 | £120 | £126 | £66 | £63

E: 131 to 140g/km | £145 | £145 | £152.25 | £79.75 | £76.13

F: 141 to 150g/km | £160 | £160 | £168 | £88 | £84

G: 151 to 165g/km | £200 | £200 | £210 | £110 | £105

H: 166 to 175g/km | £240 | £240 | £252 | £132 | £126

I: 176 to 185g/km | £265 | £265 | £278.25 | £145.75 | £139.13

J: 186 to 200g/km | £305 | £305 | £320.25 | £167.75 | £160.13

K*: 201 to 225g/km | £330 | £330 | £346.50 | £181.50 | £173.25

L: 226 to 255g/km | £575 | £575 | £603.75 | £316.25 | £301.88

M: Over 255g/km | £590 | £590 | £619.50 | £324.50 | £309.75

Cars and light goods vehicles registered before 1 March 2001

The rate of vehicle tax is based on engine size.

Private or light goods (TC11)

Engine size (cc) | Single 12 month payment | Single 12 month payment by Direct Debit | Total of 12 monthly instalments by Direct Debit | Single 6 month payment | Single 6 month payment by Direct Debit

Not over 1549 | £170 | £170 | £178.50 | £93.50 | £89.25

Over 1549 | £280 | £280 | £294 | £154 | £147

Motorhomes

The rate of vehicle tax is based on the vehicle’s revenue weight (also known as maximum or gross vehicle weight).

Private or light goods (TC11)

Private or light goods vehicles have a revenue weight of 3,500kg or less.

Private heavy goods (TC10)

Private heavy goods vehicles have a revenue weight that’s over 3,500kg.

£165 | £165 | £173.25 | £90.75 | £86.63

If your motorhome was registered between 1 April 2017 and 11 March 2020

You’ll pay a different rate of tax if both of the following apply to your motorhome:

it (your motorhome)’s in the M1SP category - check with your dealer if you’re not sure

its (your motorhome) CO2 emissions are included on the ‘type approval certificate’ (this might be called a ‘certificate of conformity’ or ‘individual vehicle approval’)

Other vehicle tax rates

Light goods vehicles (TC39)

Registered on or after 1 March 2001 and not over 3,500kg revenue weight (also known as maximum or gross vehicle weight).

£275 | £275 | £288.75 | £151.25 | £144.38

Euro 4 light goods vehicles (TC36)

Registered between 1 March 2003 and 31 December 2006, Euro 4 compliant and not over 3,500kg revenue weight.

£140 | £140 | £147 | £77 | £73.50

Euro 5 light goods vehicles (TC36)

Registered between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2010, Euro 5 compliant and not over 3,500kg revenue weight.

£140 | £140 | £147 | £77 | £73.50

Motorcycle (with or without sidecar) (TC17)

Engine size (cc) | Single 12 month payment | Single 12 month payment by Direct Debit | Total of 12 monthly instalments by Direct Debit | Single 6 month payment | 6 months by Direct Debit

Not over 150 | £21 | £21 | £22.05 | N/A | N/A

151-400 | £45 | £45 | £47.25 | N/A | N/A

401-600 | £69 | £69 | £72.45 | £37.95 | £36.23

Over 600 | £96 | £96 | £100.80 | £52.80 | £50.40

Tricycles (not over 450kg unladen) (TC50)

Tricycle not over 150 | £21 | £21 | £22.05 | N/A | N/A

All other tricycles | £96 | £96 | £100.80 | £52.80 | £50.40

Trade licences

You can get trade licences for between 6 and 12 months, depending on the month you apply.

Month you apply | When the licence expires | How long it’s valid for | Rate of duty for all vehicles | Rate of duty for bicycles and tricycles

January (6 month licence) | June | 6 months | £93.50 | £52.80

January (12 month licence) | December | 12 months | £170 | £96

February | December | 11 months | £170 | £96

March | December | 10 months | £155.85 | £88

April | December | 9 months | £140.25 | £79.20

May | December | 8 months | £124.65 | £70.40

June | December | 7 months | £109.10 | £61.60

July | December | 6 months | £93.50 | £52.80

August | June | 11 months | £170 | £96

September | June | 10 months | £155.85 | £88

October | June | 9 months | £140.25 | £79.20

November | June | 8 months | £124.65 | £70.40

December | June | 7 months | £109.10 | £61.60


Vehicle insurance

Overview

You must have motor insurance to drive your vehicle on UK roads.

Third party insurance is the legal minimum. This means you’re covered if you have an accident causing damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property. It does not cover any other costs like repair to your own vehicle.

You may want to use an insurance broker.

If you’re in an accident

If you have an accident causing damage or injury you must give the following to anyone with ‘reasonable grounds for requiring them’, for example an insurance company:

your name and address

the vehicle registration number

You also need to give the owner’s name and address if the vehicle is not yours.

You must report the accident to the police within 24 hours if you do not give your details at the time of the accident.

You must also report the accident to your insurance company, even if you’re not planning to make a claim.

Accidents with uninsured motorists

You should tell the police if you have an accident with someone who’s not insured.

Your insurance company will also be able to give you more advice.

You might also be able to get compensation if you’re the victim of an uninsured or hit and run driver.

Driving abroad

If you’re driving in most European countries

All UK vehicle insurance provides the minimum third party cover to drive in:

the EU (including Ireland)

Andorra

Iceland

Liechtenstein

Norway

Serbia

Switzerland

Check with your insurer if your policy has extra cover for things like theft or damage to your car abroad.

You also need to carry a physical copy of a ‘green card’ to drive your vehicle in these countries (most European countries).

If you’re driving in the rest of the world

You may need to carry a green card to prove you have the minimum insurance cover required by the country you’re driving in.

You may also need additional insurance for your vehicle, trailer or caravan. Check the travel advice for the country you’re going to.

Getting a green card from your insurer

A green card is proof that you have vehicle insurance when driving abroad.

Contact your insurer to get one for your vehicle. They’ll either:

post you a green card - allow up to 6 weeks

tell you how to download a green card to print yourself

You will need to carry extra green cards if:

you’re towing a trailer or caravan (one for the towing vehicle and one for the trailer or caravan)

you have 2 insurance policies covering your trip (one card for each policy)

you have multi-car or fleet insurance (one for each vehicle on the policy)

Showing your green card when driving abroad

You must show your green card if you’re involved in an accident.

You may have to show your green card:

at the border when moving between countries

if you’re stopped by the police

Uninsured vehicles

Rules in England, Wales and Scotland

You must have motor insurance for your vehicle if you use it on roads and in public places.

You do not need to insure your vehicle if it is kept off the road and declared as off the road (SORN). This rule is called ‘continuous insurance enforcement’.

If not, you could:

get a fixed penalty of £100

have your vehicle wheel-clamped, impounded or destroyed

face a court prosecution, with a possible maximum fine of £1,000

It does not matter who is driving the car - if you’re the registered keeper, you could get penalised.

You will also still have to pay for your insurance on top of any fines received.

You can check if your vehicle is insured on askMID.

Motor traders - exceptions

If a vehicle is between registered keepers or registered as ‘in trade’ with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), it is excluded from continuous insurance enforcement.

Vehicles you keep for your own use are not excluded.

Rules in Northern Ireland

There are different rules for vehicle insurance in Northern Ireland.

Driving without insurance

It’s illegal to drive a vehicle on a road or in a public place without at least 3rd party insurance.

Even if the vehicle itself (a vehicle) is insured, if you’re not correctly insured to drive it (a vehicle) you could get penalised.

Penalties for uninsured drivers:

The police could give you a fixed penalty of £300 and 6 penalty points if you’re caught driving a vehicle you’re not insured to drive.

If the case goes to court you could get:

an unlimited fine

disqualified from driving

The police also have the power to seize, and in some cases, destroy the vehicle that’s being driven uninsured (a vehicle you’re not insured to drive).


Theory test: cars

Booking your test

You must have a provisional driving licence to book your theory test.

There are 2 parts to the test (your theory test):

multiple-choice questions

hazard perception - a video test about spotting hazards on the road

You book and take them as a single test. You must pass both parts to pass the test (your theory test).

When you can take the theory test (your theory test)

You can take the theory test (your theory test) from your 17th birthday onwards.

You can take it (your theory test) from your 16th birthday if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Who needs to take the theory test (your theory test)

You usually need to take the theory test (your theory test) before you can get your full car driving licence.

You do not need to take the car theory test if you:

want to upgrade an automatic car licence to a manual one

have a category B1 driving licence (3 or 4-wheeled light vehicles) from before 1 February 2001

If you have a moped or motorcycle licence

You must pass a car theory test before taking the car driving test (the car theory test).

If your licence is not from Great Britain

Find out if you can drive in Great Britain (GB) (Great Britain) with your non-GB licence without taking a theory and driving test.

Change or check your test details

You can change the date of your theory test after you’ve booked it. This includes if you cannot or do not want to attend because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

You can check your appointment details if you’ve lost your booking confirmation.

Rebook your test (your theory test)

Rebook your theory test if you failed your test (your theory test) and want to resit it (your theory test). You have to choose a date at least 3 working days away.

Theory test revision and practice

You can use books and software to revise for the theory test (your theory test) and take practice tests.

Multiple-choice questions

The multiple-choice questions in the theory test (your theory test) are based on 3 books:

The Highway Code

Know your traffic signs

Driving - the essential skills

Study these (3 books) to learn the rules and skills you’ll be tested on.

You can buy them (3 books) from most high street and online book shops.

Take a practice test

Take a practice theory test to check how much you’ve learnt.

The questions are not used in the real test (your theory test), but they are based on the same topics as the test (your theory test).

Hazard perception test

To prepare for this test (Hazard perception test) you can use the official guide to hazard perception.

You can buy the guide (the official guide to hazard perception) in these formats:

online for your PC or Mac

app for Apple phones and tablets

app for Android phones and tablets

You can also buy it (the official guide to hazard perception) as an interactive DVD from most high street and online book shops.

Translations into foreign languages

Some official books and software are translated into other languages by approved organisations.

However, you can only take the test (Hazard perception test) in English, Welsh or British Sign Language.

What to take to your test

You must take your UK photocard driving licence to your test.

If you have a licence from Northern Ireland, bring the photocard and paper counterpart licence.

Your test will be cancelled and you will not get your money back if you do not take the right things with you.

Wearing a face covering at your test

You must wear a face covering at your test. If you do not wear one, you must have a good reason, for example:

you have a physical or mental illness, impairment or disability

wearing it (a physical or mental illness, impairment or disability) would cause you severe distress

Wearing glasses does not count as a good reason.

You need to say why you cannot wear a face covering when you book your test. If you do not, and you come to your test without a face covering, your test will be cancelled.

If you’ve already booked your test and did not say that you cannot wear a face covering, contact DVSA.

When you must not go to your test

You must not go to your test if:

you or someone you live with has coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms

you’ve been told by the NHS Test and Trace service that you’ve been in contact with a person who has COVID-19

you’re self-isolating because you recently entered the UK

Change your theory test appointment for free if you need to self-isolate on the day of your test.

Lost your licence

You need to apply for a replacement driving licence if you lose yours. This could take up to 15 days to arrive.

Rearrange your test if you do not get the new licence (a replacement driving licence) in enough time.

If you have a paper licence

Bring a valid passport as well as your paper licence (a paper licence).

If you do not have a passport, you need to get a photocard licence.

Personal belongings

You will not have access to your personal items in the test room. This (Personal belongings) includes things like:

bags

earphones

mobile phones

watches

You’ll usually have to store any personal items in a locker.

If your test centre does not have lockers, you must:

turn off your phone before you enter the test centre (your test centre)

put your belongings in a clear plastic box that will be given to you - this must be stored under your desk during the test (your test)

The test centre staff will check if you have anything with you that could be used to cheat. Your test will not go ahead if you do not let them check.

It’s illegal to cheat at the theory test. You can be sent to prison and banned from driving.

Multiple-choice questions

You have 57 minutes to answer 50 multiple-choice questions.

Before the test (your test) starts you’ll get:

instructions on how the test (your test) works

the chance to do some practice questions to get used to the screens

How the test (your test) works

A question and several possible answers appear on a screen. You have to select the right answer.

Three of the questions (50 multiple-choice questions) are about a short video. It will show a normal driving situation, such as:

driving through a town centre

driving on a country road

The video (a short video) is silent. You can watch it (a short video) as many times as you like during the test (your test).

Leaving a question

You can ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later.

Changing your answers

You can go back to any question to review and change your answer at any point.

When you’ve finished

You can finish the multiple-choice questions part when you’ve answered all of the questions. You do not have to use the full 57 minutes (57 minutes).

You can have a break of up to 3 minutes before the hazard perception test starts.

Hazard perception test (the hazard perception test)

Before you start the hazard perception test, you’ll be shown a video about how it (the hazard perception test) works.

You’ll then watch 14 video clips. The clips:

feature everyday road scenes

contain at least one ‘developing hazard’ - but one of the clips (14 video clips) features 2 developing hazards

You get points for spotting the developing hazards (2 developing hazards) as soon as they (2 developing hazards) start to happen.

What a ‘developing hazard’ is

A developing hazard is something that would cause you to take action, like changing speed or direction.

How the scoring works

You can score up to 5 points for each developing hazard.

To get a high score, click the mouse as soon as you see the hazard starting to develop.

You do not lose points if you click and get it (the hazard) wrong. However, you will not score anything if you click continuously or in a pattern.

You only get one attempt at each clip. You cannot review or change your responses.

Pass mark and test result

You’ll get the result (test result) at the test centre after taking the theory test (your test). You must pass both parts to pass the test (your test).

| Pass mark | Points available

Multiple-choice questions | 43 | 50

Hazard perception | 44 | 75

If you pass

You’ll get a letter with a pass certificate number at the test centre. You need this when you book and take your driving test.

Your pass certificate number (a pass certificate number) lasts for 2 years. You must pass your driving test in that time, otherwise you’ll have to pass the theory test (your test) again.

If you fail

You’ll get a letter at the test centre. It (a letter with a pass certificate number)’ll tell you which parts you did not score enough points on so you know what to practise.

You must book and take the full test (your test) again, even if you passed one part this time.

You have to wait at least 3 working days before taking your test again.

If you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition

When you book your theory test you should say if you have a:

reading difficulty

disability

health condition

You have reading difficulties

You can ask to hear the test (your theory test) through headphones when you book your test (your theory test). You can hear it (your theory test) in English or Welsh.

You can listen to the questions and possible answers as many times as you need to.

Other types of support

You can get other support during your theory test if you send proof that you have reading difficulties.

This (proof that you have reading difficulties) can be an email, letter or report from:

a teacher or other educational professional

a doctor or medical professional

an occupational therapist

an online dyslexia screening product assured by the British Dyslexia Association

You can get:

extra time to take the test (your theory test)

someone to read what’s on the screen and record your answers

someone to reword the questions for you

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will select the best type of support for you.

If DVSA (The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) agrees that you need extra support, they (The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) will send you an email with:

a reference number (you will need this when you book your test)

instructions on how to book your test

Extra time to take the test (your theory test)

You can ask for more time to do the multiple choice questions part of the theory test (your theory test).

Reading what’s on the screen and recording your answers

A member of staff at the test centre can read out the instructions and questions on the screen.

They (A member of staff at the test centre) can also record your answers to the multiple-choice questions.

This can be done by either:

listening to the member of staff through headphones while they’re in another room - they’ll be able to see what’s on your screen

the member of staff sitting near you in the test room

Rewording the questions for you

You can ask for a member of staff to reword the theory test questions to make them easier for you to understand.

The person cannot change the technical language that you need to know. But they can change the order of the sentence and other non-technical words and phrases.

You still need to answer each question yourself.

You’re deaf or have a hearing impairment

You can take the theory test in British Sign Language (BSL) if you’re deaf or have a hearing impairment.

A BSL (British Sign Language (BSL)) video appears on the screen next to the questions and answers.

Take a BSL (British Sign Language (BSL)) interpreter

You can have a BSL (British Sign Language (BSL)) interpreter with you during the test. Contact DVSA to arrange this. You will not be charged an extra fee.

Hearing loop and lip speakers

You can arrange to have a lip speaker with you at the theory test centre or use a listening aid (hearing loop).

To use either service you’ll need to contact DVSA before your test.

Other disabilities or health conditions

Contact DVSA to discuss any other disability or health condition before you book your test.


Theory test: motorcycles and mopeds

Booking your test

You need to have a provisional motorcycle licence to book your theory test (your test).

There are 2 parts to the test (your test):

multiple-choice questions

hazard perception - a video test about spotting hazards on the road

You book and take them as a single test. You have to pass both parts to pass the test (your test).

When you can take the theory test (your test)

You can take the theory test (your test) from your:

16th birthday onwards if you’re learning to ride a moped (no more than 50cc)

17th birthday onwards if you’re learning to ride a motorcycle

You can take the theory test (your test) before or after you’ve taken compulsory basic training (CBT).

Who needs to take the theory test (your test)

You usually need to have passed a motorcycle theory test before you take the motorcycle test.

Find out which motorcycles you can ride and which tests you need to take.

You do not need to take the theory test (your test) if you passed a moped test after 1 July 1996 and want to either:

take the motorcycle test on a category A1 small motorcycle

upgrade your motorcycle licence under the ‘progressive access’ (also known as ‘staged access’) rules

If you have a car licence

You have to pass a motorcycle theory test before taking the motorcycle test.

If your licence is not from Great Britain

Find out if you can drive in Great Britain (GB) (Great Britain) with your non-GB licence without taking a theory and driving test.

Change or check your test details

You can change the date of your theory test after you’ve booked it. This includes if you cannot or do not want to attend because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

You can check your appointment details if you’ve lost your booking confirmation.

Rebook your test

Rebook your theory test (your test) if you failed your test and want to resit it (your test). You have to choose a date at least 3 working days away.

Theory test revision and practice

You can use books and software to revise for the theory test (your test) and take practice tests.

Multiple-choice questions

The questions in the theory test (your test) are based on 3 books:

The Highway Code

Know your traffic signs

Riding - the essential skills

Study these (3 books) to learn the rules and skills you’ll be tested on.

You can buy them (3 books) from most high street and online book shops.

Take a practice test

Take a practice theory test to check how much you’ve learnt.

The practice questions are not used in the real test (your test), but they’re based on the same topics as the test (your test).

Hazard perception part

Buy the official guide to hazard perception for your PC or Mac to learn hazard perception skills and then test them.

You can buy it (Hazard perception part) from most high street and online book shops.

What to take to your test

You must take your UK photocard driving licence to your test.

If you have a licence from Northern Ireland, bring the photocard and paper counterpart licence.

Your test will be cancelled and you will not get your money back if you do not take the right things with you.

Wearing a face covering at your test

You must wear a face covering at your test. If you do not wear one, you must have a good reason, for example:

you have a physical or mental illness, impairment or disability

wearing it would cause you severe distress

Wearing glasses does not count as a good reason.

You need to say why you cannot wear a face covering when you book your test. If you do not, and you come to your test without a face covering, your test will be cancelled.

If you’ve already booked your test and did not say that you cannot wear a face covering, contact DVSA.

When you must not go to your test

You must not go to your test if:

you or someone you live with has coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms

you’ve been told by the NHS Test and Trace service that you’ve been in contact with a person who has COVID-19

you’re self-isolating because you recently entered the UK

Change your theory test appointment for free if you need to self-isolate on the day of your test.

If you have a paper licence

Bring a valid passport as well as your paper licence.

If you do not have a passport, you need to get a photocard licence.

Personal belongings

You will not have access to your personal items in the test room. This includes things like:

bags

earphones

mobile phones

watches

You’ll usually have to store any personal items in a locker.

If your test centre does not have lockers, you must:

turn off your phone before you enter the test centre (your test centre)

put your belongings in a clear plastic box that will be given to you - this must be stored under your desk during the test (your test)

The test centre staff will check if you have anything with you that could be used to cheat. Your test will not go ahead if you do not let them check.

It’s illegal to cheat at the theory test. You can be sent to prison and banned from driving.

Multiple-choice questions

You have 57 minutes to answer 50 multiple-choice questions.

Before the test (your test) starts you’ll get:

instructions on how the test (your test) works

the chance to do some practice questions to get used to the screens

How the test (your test) works

A question and several possible answers appear on a screen. You have to select the right answer.

Some questions are given as a case study. The case study will:

show a short story that 5 questions will be based on

be about a real life situation you could come across when driving

Leaving a question

You can ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later.

Changing your answers

You can go back to any question to review and change your answer at any point.

When you’ve finished

You can finish the multiple-choice questions part when you’ve answered all of the questions. You do not have to use the full 57 minutes (57 minutes).

You can have a break of up to 3 minutes before the hazard perception test starts.

Hazard perception test (the hazard perception test)

Before you start the hazard perception test, you’ll be shown a video about how it (the hazard perception test) works.

You’ll then watch 14 video clips. The clips:

feature everyday road scenes

contain at least one ‘developing hazard’ - but one of the clips (14 video clips) features 2 developing hazards

You get points for spotting the developing hazards (2 developing hazards) as soon as they (2 developing hazards) start to happen.

What a ‘developing hazard’ is

A developing hazard is something that would cause you to take action, like changing speed or direction.

How the scoring works

You can score up to 5 points for each developing hazard.

To get a high score, click the mouse as soon as you see the hazard starting to develop.

You do not lose points if you click and get it (the hazard) wrong. However, you will not score anything if you click continuously or in a pattern.

You only get one attempt at each clip. You cannot review or change your responses.

Pass mark and test result

You get the result (test result) at the test centre after taking the theory test. You need to pass both parts to pass the test (your test).

Test part | Pass mark | Points available

Multiple-choice questions | 43 | 50

Hazard perception | 44 | 75

If you pass

You’ll get a letter with a pass certificate number at the test centre. You need this when you book and take your motorcycle test.

Your pass certificate number (a pass certificate number) lasts for 2 years. You need to pass both modules of the motorcycle test (your motorcycle test) in that time, otherwise you’ll have to pass the theory test again.

If you fail

You’ll get a letter at the test centre. It (a letter with a pass certificate number)’ll tell you which parts you did not score enough points on so you know what to practise.

You have to book and take the full test again, even if you passed one part this time.

You have to wait at least 3 working days before taking your test (your motorcycle test) again.

If you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition

When you book your theory test you should say if you have a:

reading difficulty

disability

health condition

You have reading difficulties

You can ask to hear the test (your test) through headphones when you book your test (your theory test). You can  hear it (your test) in English or Welsh.

You can listen to the questions and possible answers as many times as you need to.

Other types of support

You can get other support during your theory test if you send proof that you have reading difficulties.

This (proof that you have reading difficulties) can be an email, letter or report from:

a teacher or other educational professional

a doctor or medical professional

an occupational therapist

an online dyslexia screening product assured by the British Dyslexia Association

You can get:

extra time to take the test (your theory test)

someone to read what’s on the screen and record your answers

someone to reword the questions for you

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will select the best type of support for you.

If DVSA (The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) agrees that you need extra support, they (The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)) will send you an email with:

a reference number (you will need this when you book your test)

instructions on how to book your test

Extra time to take the test (your theory test)

You can ask for more time to do the multiple choice questions part of the theory test (your test).

Reading what’s on the screen and recording your answers

A member of staff at the test centre can read out the instructions and questions on the screen.

They (A member of staff at the test centre) can also record your answers to the multiple-choice questions.

This can be done by either:

listening to the member of staff (A member of staff at the test centre) through headphones while they (A member of staff at the test centre)’re in another room - they (A member of staff at the test centre)’ll be able to see what’s on your screen

the member of staff sitting near you in the test room

Rewording the questions for you

You can ask for a member of staff to reword the theory test questions (the questions) to make them (the questions) easier for you to understand.

The person (a member of staff) cannot change the technical language that you need to know. But they (a member of staff) can change the order of the sentence and other non-technical words and phrases.

You still need to answer each question yourself.

You’re deaf or have a hearing impairment

You can take the theory test (your test) in British Sign Language (BSL) if you’re deaf or have a hearing impairment.

A BSL video appears on the screen next to the questions and answers.

Take a BSL interpreter

You can have a BSL interpreter with you during the test. Contact DVSA to arrange this. You will not be charged an extra fee.

Hearing loop and lip speakers

You can arrange to have a lip speaker with you at the theory test centre or use a listening aid (hearing loop).

To use either service you’ll need to contact DVSA before your test.

Other disabilities or health conditions

Contact DVSA to discuss any other disability or health condition before you book your test.