12/05/2026
The UK government and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have introduced new rules in 2026 to make driving test booking fairer and to stop bots and third-party services from hoarding appointments.
Key changes to driving test booking rules (2026)
1. Only the learner can book the driving test
From 12 May 2026, only the person taking the test is allowed to book it through the official GOV.UK service.
Driving instructors, parents, friends, and cancellation apps can still help you.
But the booking must be made in your own name by you.
Youβll need to confirm that you are the candidate taking the test.
2. Only the learner can manage the booking
From 12 May 2026, only you can:
Change the date or time
Swap test appointments
Cancel the test
Driving instructors can no longer make these changes on your behalf.
3. You can only change your test twice
Since 31 March 2026, you are limited to two changes to an existing booking.
Examples of changes include:
Moving to a different date
Changing the time
Switching to another test centre
If you need to make more than two changes, you must cancel the booking and start again.
4. Test centre changes will be restricted
From 9 June 2026, if you move your test to a different centre, youβll only be able to choose from the three nearest test centres to your current booking.
This is designed to stop people booking tests at distant centres just to hold a slot.
5. Use only the official DVSA booking service
The DVSA is cracking down on unofficial services that use bots to grab appointments and resell them at inflated prices.
Official practical test fees are:
Β£62 for weekday tests
Β£75 for evenings, weekends, and bank holidays
You should not need to pay more than this to secure a test.
Official booking website
Book your practical driving test on GOV.UKβ
Why these changes are happening
The DVSA says the new rules are intended to:
Reduce long waiting times
Prevent bulk booking and reselling
Make appointments fairer for genuine learners
Average waiting times in many areas are currently over 20 weeks.
Practical tips for learners
Book your test yourself using the GOV.UK website.
Choose the test centre you genuinely want to use.
Avoid unnecessary changes because you only get two.
Be cautious of third-party websites charging inflated fees.
For more detail, see the DVSA announcement and guidance. οΏ½
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