HGV retest costs and pass protection: is it worth paying for?
What a lorry retest really costs in Kent, what each school's pass protection covers, and whether it's worth buying up front.
Short answer
If you fail the on-road test, DVSA charges £115 again on a weekday, and the school charges for the truck and instructor. Kent schools that publish a retest price charge £427 to £495, including about two hours' warm-up driving.
Pass protection costs £380 to £499 up front. At Kent's average pass rate, it costs more than it saves for most people, like most insurance. It's worth it if you want a fixed cost, or think you're much more likely than average to fail.
What you pay DVSA for a retest
You only retake the part you failed, and you pay the DVSA fee again:
- Off-road exercises (Module 3a): up to £40.
- On-road driving test (Module 3b): £115 on a weekday, £141 in the evening or at the weekend.
- Driver CPC Module 4: £55 on a weekday, £63 in the evening or at the weekend.
The DVSA fee is the smaller part. You also need the truck and an instructor on test day, and most schools add a warm-up drive before the test.
Published retest and pass protection prices in Kent
From each school's own website, checked 17 October 2026.
| Provider | Retest without cover | Pass protection | What the protection covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| HGV Training Hub | £427 | £499 | Up to two more practical tests, each with two hours' refresher training |
| Hartlip HGV | Not published | £380 (Class 2)£430 (Class 1) | One more test, with two hours' driving before it and use of the truck |
| Wallace School of Transport | £495 | £435 | One re-sit, with two hours' warm-up, the truck and the weekday on-road test fee. Only if bought with the course. |
| Learn2Pass HGV | Quoted at the time | – | Extra training and a new test booking, priced if you need them |
| TrainDrive | Not published | – | "A further programme will be proposed" after a fail |
Is pass protection worth it?
Worked out with the pass rate at Gillingham LGV, Kent's DVSA lorry test centre: 58.3% in 2025 to 2026.
| Provider | Average retest spend without cover | Average spend with cover | Worth it if your chance of failing is above |
|---|---|---|---|
| HGV Training Hub (£499 for up to two retests) | £305 | £552 | 69% |
| Wallace (£435 for one re-sit) | £354 | £583 | 88% |
When pass protection makes sense
- You want a fixed cost. If a surprise £500 bill would be a problem, paying up front removes the risk, even if it costs more on average.
- You're on a short course. Fewer cab hours raises your chance of failing. But spending the same money on more hours before the test usually does more for your chances than insurance against failing it.
- It covers more than one retest. Cover for two retests protects you against the worst case, which is where insurance earns its money.
Questions to ask before you buy it
- How many retests does it cover, and for how long after the course?
- Does it include the DVSA fee, the truck, the instructor and a warm-up drive?
- Does it cover Module 3a and Module 4 retests, or only the on-road test?
- Is a quoted pass rate for first-time passes, or does it include passes after retests?
- Is any of it refunded if you pass first time? If not, treat it as spent.
The quote checker counts retest cover in a quote's value score, but only when it's included in the price.
Related: Why people fail, and retake rules
Common questions
How much does an HGV retest cost?
DVSA charges £115 again for the on-road test on a weekday (£141 evenings and weekends), plus the school's charge for the truck and instructor. Kent schools that publish a retest price charge £427 to £495, including about two hours' warm-up.
What is HGV pass protection?
Pass protection is cover you buy up front that pays for one or more retests if you fail. In Kent it costs £380 to £499 depending on the school and how many retests it covers.
Is HGV pass protection worth it?
For most people it costs more than it saves on average. At Kent's 58.3% pass rate, £499 cover for two retests only pays off on average if your chance of failing is above about 69%. It's worth it if you want a fixed cost or think you're more likely than average to fail.
Do I have to retake the whole HGV test if I fail?
No. You only retake the part you failed: the off-road exercises (Module 3a), the on-road test (Module 3b) or Driver CPC Module 4, and pay that part's DVSA fee again.