19/02/2026
Changing your driving test appointment
To "swap" a UK driving test with another person, you must find a willing exchange partner and then both parties must contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) by phone to process the change. The DVSA does not offer an online service for direct swaps between two individuals, only for changing your own appointment.
Method 1:
Swapping with a Specific Person via DVSA Phone Line
This is the only official, free method for a direct person-to-person swap.
Find a swap partner:
You need to find another learner driver who wants to trade test dates and has a compatible test type (e.g., car for car).
You can use community platforms like Facebook groups dedicated to test swaps to connect with others.
Your driving instructor may also have other pupils who are looking to swap dates.
Gather details:
Once you find a partner, you must exchange the following information from both parties:
Full name
Home address
Driving licence number
Driving test booking reference number or theory test pass certificate number
Current test date, time, and test centre location
Contact the DVSA:
One person (usually the one initiating the call) needs to call the DVSA customer service line on 0300 200 1122. The online service cannot be used for this type of swap.
Confirm the swap:
When connected with a DVSA representative, explain that you wish to swap appointments with another candidate and provide all the collected details for both individuals. The agent will process the swap and provide a confirmation.
Method 2:
Changing Your Own Appointment (Finding a Cancellation)
If you cannot find a specific person to swap with, you can simply change your existing appointment to an earlier date that becomes available due to cancellations.
Use the official DVSA online service:
Log in to the official GOV.UK website to change your test date, time, or test centre.
Check frequently:
New slots, or "cancellations," can appear at any time. You need to check the system often for suitable dates. The online service is available from 6 am to 11:40 pm daily.
Use third-party apps (optional): You can use driving test cancellation checker services or apps to automate the process. These services monitor the DVSA website for available slots matching your preferences and will alert you, or even book the slot for you automatically. These services usually charge a fee.
Key Considerations
Notice period:
To avoid losing your test fee, you must give at least 10 full working days' notice for car driving tests when changing or cancelling your appointment. Sundays and public holidays do not count as working days.
Change limits:
You can currently change your test appointment up to 6 times using the online service before you have to cancel and rebook entirely (from March 31, 2026, this limit for car tests will reduce to 2 changes/swaps).
Avoid scams:
Only use official DVSA channels for payment and information sharing. Be cautious with third-party services that ask for payment to "arrange" a swap, as the official swap process through the DVSA is free.
GOV.UK
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