Banned drivers spend £3.1 million on extended driving tests to get back on the road
Our study shows how high the price of a driving ban can be
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Last updated: 19 June 2025
£3.1 million has been spent by more than 21,000 disqualified UK drivers booking extended driving tests during the last five years, according to our new research.
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request was submitted to the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to uncover the number of extended driving test bookings made at UK driving test centres between 2020 and 2024.
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The study shows how many UK drivers have had to renew their licence after disqualification due to being convicted of a driving offence or getting 12 or more penalty points within a three-year period.
Any driver disqualified for 56 days or more needs to apply for a new licence before driving again. However, in more serious cases, the court may order drivers to take an extended driving test before getting their licence back.
So, whether you're driving a used Audi or used Ford, following the laws of the roads is important
Sam Sheehan, our motoring editor, said: "Being disqualified from driving will cost you in more ways than one. The extended driving test will cost you as much as £150, double that of a standard driving test.
“You'll also need to apply for a new provisional licence (£43) and retake your theory test (£23). But the mounting costs don't end there. You can also expect your car insurance costs to rise after a driving disqualification.
"This is on top of the personal impact of a driving ban, which can lead to a criminal record if the offence you’re convicted for is related to drink or dangerous driving. And you could even end up losing your job if you rely on your car for work.”
Manchester tops extended driving test earnings list
Manchester’s Cheetham Hill test centre earned the most from extended driving tests from 2020 to 2024 with a total of £28,950 (193 bookings).
However, the hotspots for disqualified drivers aren’t only in the north-west, with two driving test centres each from London, Scotland and Yorkshire making the top 10.
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Top 10 driving test centres with the highest earnings from extended driving tests (2020-2024):
Cheetham Hill (Manchester) - £28,950 (193 bookings)
Goodmayes (London) - £25,800 (172 bookings)
Kirkcaldy (Scotland) - £23,850 (159 bookings)
Rotherham (Yorkshire) - £22,800 (152 bookings)
Bradford - Thornbury (Yorkshire) - £19,650 (131 bookings)
Birmingham - South Yardley - £19,200 (128 bookings)
Barnsley (Yorkshire) - £16,650 (111 bookings)
Rochdale (Manchester) - £16,500 (110 bookings)
Paisley (Scotland) - £16,200 (108 bookings)
Barking - Tanner Street (London) - £14,850 (99 bookings)
Extended driving test bookings drop in 2024
The data also shows that bookings for extended driving tests dropped in 2024 for the first time since 2020.
2024 saw 4,055 bookings, 24% less than the recent peak in 2023 (5,332 bookings), which followed steady growth since 2021.
Commenting on the findings, Sam said: "The 24% year-on-year decrease for 2024 is great to see – hopefully it continues.
"It means fewer penalty points and driving offences being handed out, which indicates that UK drivers are taking more care on the roads."
Extended driving test bookings by UK drivers (2020-2024):
2020: 2,453 bookings
2021: 4,048 bookings (65% year-on-year increase)
2022: 5,226 bookings (29% year-on-year increase)
2023: 5,332 bookings (2% year-on-year increase)
2024: 4,055 bookings (24% year-on-year decrease)
Total: 21,114 bookings
Avoiding driving bans
Beyond the financial and personal burden of being disqualified from driving, it might not be as easy as you think to get your licence back once you’re allowed to do so.
60% of drivers pass their extended driving tests first time, and the average waiting time for a test is currently 24 weeks, so a driving ban can really throw a spanner in the works.
The best bet is to take proactive steps to avoid disqualification. Beyond the obvious of not using your mobile phone or driving dangerously or under the influence, Sam has some advice:
“Don’t take those speeding tickets lightly – they can quickly add up, and 12 points on your licence is a driving ban. And don’t forget that driving with a car not fit for the road (such as defective tyres or brakes) can also lead to points on your licence, so don’t take the risk.”
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