The rules for booking practical car driving tests are changing to make the system fairer. These changes are part of the outcome of our consultation to improve the way driving tests are booked.
Following the changes announced in January 2026 on limiting the number of times a test can be changed or swapped (from 31 March 2026), we’re now able to confirm the dates for the rest of the planned rule changes:
We know this is a significant change for driving instructors.
Misuse of the booking system has made it harder for us to offer slots fairly. The consultation response to this change was split, with some of you feeling strongly that learners should have full control. Others felt just as strongly that instructors need flexibility to manage bookings effectively.
We’ve made a decision based on the evidence – our consultation found that the majority of learners wanted full control and we have acted to prioritise fairness for learners and tackle exploitation. But we recognise that reasonable professionals disagree on this and we respect that.
Introducing these changes means learners should only ever pay the actual fee DVSA charges.
From 12 May 2026, no-one other than learner drivers will be able to lawfully book or manage a car driving test.
This includes unofficial booking services and cancellation finder services. These services will no longer be able to book tests on behalf of learners and your pupils should not use them.
Any of your pupils who aren’t able to book via GOV.UK and need additional support will still be able to access test booking by calling DVSA’s customer service centre.
Alongside this, from 12 May 2026, your pupils must confirm when they book or manage their test, that they:
This will be through a declaration box on the public online booking service on GOV.UK. Any bookings made through the DVSA customer service centre will need to agree to the terms verbally before making a booking.
Your pupils will not be able to book their test if they don’t do these things.
Changes to the online business service
So that learner drivers are in control of their own personal data, driving instructors and other third parties will no longer be allowed to use the online business service for car driving tests, to:
From 9 June 2026, learners will be able to move a test to only the 3 nearest centres to wherever your pupil’s test is booked on that date.
We previously announced we would be reducing from 6 to 2 the number of times a learner driver can change their test. This change will come into force from 31 March 2026.
You can read more detailed guidance about what’s changing. It includes examples to help you understand the new rules and lists of where learners will be able to move tests. Find out about the changes to driving test booking rules.
