Tongue Theory Test Centre

Driving to Tongue means heading north on the A836 and following the road signs through to the village itself, where the test centre sits without difficulty to find once you’re through the last few miles of open Highland road. That stretch of the A836 is single carriageway for long sections, with sheep and deer a genuine hazard rather than a theoretical one, so learners who eventually test in this area benefit from lessons that specifically cover rural driving: blind summits, passing places, and judging oncoming traffic on narrow roads. Public transport is more involved. The realistic route is a train to Inverness, then a connecting local bus service, since there’s no direct rail line this far north. Both the Thurso and Inverness bus routes serve Tongue, with a stop close to the centre, but schedules are limited compared with towns further south, so check timetables well before your appointment rather than assuming a bus will be along shortly. Because journeys here can run to several hours each way, it’s worth building in a wide margin: missing a theory test appointment through a late connection means paying to rebook, and slots in this part of Scotland aren’t always plentiful. Learners planning ahead to the practical stage should note a rule change: since 12 May 2026, DVSA test accounts belong solely to the candidate, and bookings made through a third party are no longer accepted. Plan the return leg with equal care: public transport this far north can thin out considerably as the day goes on.

Page reviewed and updated 17 July 2026.