Can you study for the KET exam independently? Yes — here is how 🎓
Short answer: yes — for the A1, A2, A, B1 and B categories you may take the Regitra theory exam after preparing entirely on your own, without a driving-school theory course. You need a medical certificate, a first-aid course certificate and registration via vp.regitra.lt (exam fee €10). A driving school remains mandatory for the practical part: category B requires mandatory practical lessons at a school.
How the independent path works (steps)
- Medical certificate — from your family doctor or a medical centre (drivers' commission).
- First-aid course — the completion certificate is mandatory before the theory exam.
- Independent theory preparation — the KET book, illustrated theory and online tests; no school theory course needed.
- Registration via vp.regitra.lt: choose any branch in Lithuania, the language and the time, pay €10.
- The exam — 30 questions / 30 min / at most 6 mistakes (category B). The result appears immediately.
- Practice — after passing theory, register at a driving school for the practical lessons, then take the practical exam (the theory result is valid no longer than 1 year!).
How much you save and what you don't lose
| Costs | Full school course | Independent (externship) |
|---|---|---|
| School package (theory + 30 h of practice) | ~€550–700 in Vilnius and Kaunas, €400–500 in smaller towns (cheapest offers from ~€360) | Only the mandatory practice at a school — externship packages typically from ~€350–450 |
| Theory exam at Regitra | €10 | €10 |
| Study materials | Included | Free tests + a platform from a few € / month |
| Practical lessons | Included (30 acad. hours) | Mandatory at a school (no way around it) |
The independent theory path saves about €100–250 (the gap between the full course and the externship package) and lets you learn at your own pace. The exam is identical — the same question base, the same 80% bar, no difference in scoring.
Who self-study suits (and who it doesn't)
It suits you if you can stick to a plan, learn well from text and tests, want to save money, or your schedule clashes with the school timetable. It doesn't suit you if you need a live teacher for questions or external discipline — then the school course may be worth its price. By the way, practical driving can also be learned with a family member — but that is a separate procedure with its own requirements.
How to prepare independently and pass first time
The one risk of the independent path: nobody tells you when you are ready. Statistically fewer than half pass theory on the first attempt. The solution is to measure rather than guess: RoboKET builds a day-by-day plan to your exam date, tracks mistakes by topic and calculates your real passing probability — once it is stably above 90%, register. Start with the free KET tests, no registration needed.
Frequently asked questions
Can you take the category B theory exam without a driving school?
Yes — the A1, A2, A, B1 and B theory exams can be taken after independent preparation; the school is mandatory only for the practical part.
What documents do you need to take the theory exam independently?
An identity document, a medical certificate and a first-aid certificate; registration via vp.regitra.lt (€10).
Is the exam different for self-taught candidates?
No — the exam is identical: the same base, 30 questions / 30 min / 80%.
How much do you save by self-studying the theory?
About €100–250: a full school course in the big cities costs ~€550–700 (€400–500 in smaller towns), while an externship package with only the mandatory practice starts around €350–450. The practical lessons remain mandatory.