Since 12 May 2026, only the learner can book, change, swap or cancel a car driving test in England, Scotland and Wales. Driving instructors can no longer do it for their pupils, and paid cancellation-finder services are banned. Each booking now allows two changes rather than six, and since 9 June 2026 you can only move your test to one of the three test centres nearest the one you are booked at. If you have a test booked for the new year, the main thing to know is that every change uses up part of a small allowance, so plan before you click.
The changes, in order
DVSA's guidance on changes to driving test booking rules in 2026, last updated on 19 June 2026, lists four steps:
- 31 March 2026: the number of changes per booking dropped from six to two. Anyone who had already used all six got two more.
- 12 May 2026: only the learner can book, change, swap or cancel. Unofficial services that search the booking system were banned.
- 9 June 2026: tests can only be moved to the three nearest centres.
- 19 June 2026: changes given back to you after DVSA moves your test, for example because of bad weather, can be used online rather than by phone.
What counts as a change
Each of these uses one of your two changes:
- moving the date or time;
- moving to a different test centre;
- swapping your test with another learner.
If you change several of those things in one go, it counts as one change. Updating your contact details or adding or removing your instructor's reference number does not count, and nor does a change DVSA makes. Once you have used both changes, the only option is to cancel and rebook, which puts you back in the queue for a new slot.
The three nearest centres rule
You can move your test to any of the three centres closest to the one you are booked at, or back to the centre you first booked on that booking. There is a catch for older bookings: if you booked before 9 June 2026, the starting point is the centre you held on that date, and you cannot go back to an earlier original centre.
In practice this stops learners hopping across the country chasing early slots. If you live between two areas, think carefully about which centre you book first, because it decides your options later.
Swapping with another learner
Swaps are still allowed, but they count as a change and only you can arrange one. DVSA's webinar recap on the DVSA blog explains that the agency does not run a matching system, so finding someone to swap with is up to you. If two learners agree, DVSA can process the swap by phone, and both people need to be available at the same time so their identity and consent can be checked.
What instructors can and cannot do
Instructors cannot book, change, swap or cancel tests for their pupils; the guidance says doing so is against the law. Tests already booked before the change remain valid, and instructors should pass pupils their booking reference numbers. What instructors can still do is set their availability in the system: working hours for each weekday, one-off unavailable times such as holidays, and the minimum gap between tests. When you add your instructor's reference number to your booking, the system checks against that availability, which helps avoid booking a slot your instructor cannot do.
So the sensible routine is: agree with your instructor which days and times work, make sure their availability is up to date, then make the booking yourself with their reference number added.
Getting help from a parent or friend
You are allowed help. The guidance says a friend, family member or support worker can assist, as long as the learner is there and completes as much of the process as they can. Use an email address and phone number the learner owns or can easily get into, so that confirmations and changes reach the right person.
Cancellation finders and booking bots
Using a website or app that hunts for cancellations is not allowed under the booking terms, and DVSA can suspend your online access or cancel bookings made that way. That matters more than it sounds: losing a test you waited months for, because a third-party tool grabbed it, would be a painful way to start the year.
Refunds and notice
You get a full refund of the test fee if you cancel at least ten full working days before the test. Inside that window you lose the fee unless DVSA cancels or there is an accepted reason, so if you are unsure about being ready, decide early.
Planning a test for winter or early spring
Tests in December to February bring dark afternoons, frost and the odd cancellation for snow or ice. If DVSA cancels for weather, that does not use up your changes, and since June any changes reset that way can be used online. Practise in the conditions you are likely to meet: driving in the dark, on wet roads, and in low winter sun. Our winter driving checklist covers the basics of a car that is ready for cold mornings, and if you are testing in your own or a family car, it is worth checking that its MOT is current; our MOT guide explains how to look it up.
Before you touch your bookingAsk: is this change worth one of my two? If the answer is "maybe", wait. Talk to your instructor about readiness first, then make one considered change rather than two hopeful ones.
Once you pass
A new licence comes with its own rules, including the six-point limit for drivers in their first two years. Insurance is usually the largest first-year cost, so shop around early and be accurate about who the main driver is. If you are buying your first car, our used-car buying guide covers the checks worth doing on something affordable.