KET exam retakes: timing, cost and a strategy that works
In short: after failing a Regitra exam, a new attempt can be booked no earlier than 3 working days later. Each theory retake costs €10, each practical retake €41.26; the number of attempts is unlimited. One deadline matters: a passed theory result is valid for 1 year — miss it and the theory must be retaken. Before any retake, analyse the mistake report by topic.
Timing and costs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When can I retake? | No earlier than 3 working days after the failed exam |
| Theory retake price | €10 per attempt |
| Practical retake price | €41.26 (€34.54 + €6.72 for the car) |
| Number of attempts | Unlimited |
| Validity of a passed theory | Until the practical is passed, but no longer than 1 year |
| Where to register | vp.regitra.lt — any branch in Lithuania |
Theory retake: what to do differently
After a failed exam, the Drivers' portal shows a mistake report by topic — the most valuable document in the whole process. A plan that works:
- Analyse the report — people usually fail in 1–2 specific topics (priority, signs, speeds), not "a little everywhere".
- Revise by topic, not blindly — drill exactly the weak topics to 90%+. RoboKET's per-topic mistake statistics mirror the Regitra report.
- Return to full simulations — 30 questions / 30 min without help; book only when 3–5 in a row exceed 90%.
- Don't book "out of anger" — 3 working days is the minimum, not a recommendation: if simulations still sit at 80–85%, wait a week. €10 is small, but third and fourth attempts erode confidence.
Practical retake: the usual critical errors
At the practical exam a critical error ends it instantly. The usual ones: not yielding to a pedestrian at a crossing or while turning, failing to give priority (especially on roundabouts and left turns), rolling past a STOP sign without a full stop, excessive speed in a residential zone, and the examiner intervening in the controls. Before the retake, take 1–2 lessons with an instructor on exactly the situations where you failed — routes start and end at the branch, so the key junctions are known. The examiner names your errors at the debrief — write them down immediately.
How to get a slot sooner
- Catch cancelled slots — reservations return to the system constantly; check the portal mornings and evenings.
- Pick a smaller branch — practical queues in Vilnius and Kaunas run 2–4 weeks, while smaller towns often have slots within days. Any branch in Lithuania is allowed.
- Theory queues are short everywhere — often the same week.
- Mind the 1-year theory validity: if practical retakes drag on, plan so the deadline doesn't lapse — otherwise you return to the theory stage.
Interesting facts about retakes 🎯
- Only about 36–43% pass the theory first time — retaking is the norm, not a disgrace; smart candidates simply prepare for the second attempt from the mistake report.
- The costliest part of a retake isn't the €10 — it is the waiting time: in the big cities a month can pass between practical attempts.
- After several failed practical attempts it is worth changing not just the preparation but the branch — different routes sometimes suit you better.
- An unanswered theory question equals a mistake — a share of retakes happen purely because candidates left questions blank when time ran out.
- RoboKET's passing-probability meter was built precisely to reduce retakes: register once it stays above 90% — below that line the statistics are merciless.
Frequently asked questions
How soon can I retake the Regitra exam?
No earlier than 3 working days after the failed attempt. You register again via vp.regitra.lt and may choose any branch in Lithuania.
How much does a retake cost?
Theory — €10, practical — €41.26 (€34.54 + €6.72 for Regitra's car) per attempt. The number of attempts is unlimited.
How many times can I take the KET exam?
Attempts are unlimited for both theory and practical. The only deadline: a passed theory result is valid for no longer than 1 year — if the practical isn't passed in time, the theory must be retaken.
What should I do after failing the theory exam?
Analyse the mistake report by topic in the Drivers' portal, drill exactly the weak topics to 90%+, then run full exam simulations and book only when several in a row exceed 90%. Registering "out of anger" after 3 days without preparation is the top cause of failing again.
Why do people usually fail the practical exam?
Because of critical errors that end the exam instantly: not yielding to a pedestrian, failing to give priority (especially on roundabouts and left turns), rolling past a STOP sign without a full stop, or the examiner intervening in the controls.