07/05/2026
Important information/rules from the DVSA regarding swapping tests from the 12th May 2026:
What a driving test swap is
Swapping is different from changing your test. You are not finding a new date or time. You and another learner driver are exchanging your existing bookings with each other.
Swapping your driving test counts as one of the 2 changes you are allowed to make.
Who can swap a driving test
From 12 May 2026, you can only swap your own car driving test with another learner driver.
You must both want to swap to each other’s exact test date, time and test centre.
It’s against the law for other people (including driving instructors) or websites to swap a driving test for someone else.
Check if you can swap
You can swap your car driving test with another learner driver if all of the following apply.
How many changes you have left
You both need at least one of your 2 allowed changes available. You cannot swap if either of you has used both changes.
When your tests are booked
You must request the swap at least 10 full working days before the earliest of the 2 tests. Monday to Saturday count as working days. Sundays and public holidays do not count.
Where your tests are booked
Before 9 June 2026, you can swap a test with a learner booked at any driving test centre.
From 9 June 2026, you can only swap with a learner driver whose test is booked at either:
the same test centre as you
one of the 3 nearest test centres to you
the test centre you first booked at
Check that both your test centres meet this location rule before you call DVSA.
A swap can only go ahead if the location rule is met for both of you.
What type of test you have booked
You can only swap with a learner who has the same type of test booking as you. This means:
weekday tests (£62) can only swap with other weekday tests
evening, weekend and bank holiday tests (£75) can only swap with the same
tests given extra time due to a disability, health condition or learning difficulty can only swap with the same
extended driving test for disqualified drivers on weekdays (£124) can only swap with the same - extended driving test for disqualified drivers at evenings, weekends and bank holidays (£150) can only swap with the same
Check your driving instructors are available
Before making the swap, both of you should check with your driving instructors that:
they agree you will be ready to take the test on the date you’re swapping to
they will be available to take you to your driving test at the date, time and centre you’re swapping to
How to swap your driving test
You can only swap your driving test by phone.
You cannot do it:
online
by email
by webchat
by text message
using the DVSA WhatsApp account
using DVSA social media accounts
You both need to be available at the same time to speak to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). You do not need to be together, as DVSA will call the other learner.
What you need before you call
Make sure you have:
your own driving licence number
your own driving test booking reference number
the details of the payment card you used to book your test (you do not need this if your driving instructor booked the test for you before the rules changed)
details about any driving tests you’ve taken before
The person who calls DVSA will also need the other learner driver’s driving test booking reference number.
To make a swap, DVSA will never ask you for your payment card’s full number or security code.
To protect your personal data, never give your driving licence number, theory test pass certificate number, address, phone number, email address or payment card details to another learner driver.
What to do before you call
Check that your driving test booking has your correct phone number and email address on it.
DVSA will use the contact details on your bookings to complete the swap.
Updating your contact details does not use one of your available changes.
Sign in with your driving licence number and booking reference number.
On the ‘View booking’ page, select Change next to ‘Candidate details’.
Enter your address, email address and telephone number.
Save the changes.
Check your driving test appointment details.
How the call works
Do not call unless you are both free to take part in the call.
One of you calls DVSA to request the swap.
DVSA completes security checks with the person who called. You must confirm you agree to the swap.
You give DVSA the other learner driver’s booking reference number. You will not be asked for their name or contact details.
DVSA puts you on hold and calls the other learner driver. DVSA will only call them on the phone number that’s recorded for their booking - it will not accept a different number from you.
DVSA will complete security checks with the other learner driver. They must confirm they agree to the swap.
DVSA returns to you and completes the swap.
DVSA customer services
Telephone: 0300 200 1122 (select option 1 and follow the prompts)
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
DVSA will not complete the swap if either of you:
fails the security checks
does not agree to a legal declaration
does not agree for the swap to go ahead
has already used both of your 2 allowed changes
DVSA will not be able to complete the swap if:
the learner driver you’re swapping with does not answer the phone
the phone number for the learner driver you’re swapping with is wrong on the booking service
Both of your driving tests will stay the same.
After you have swapped
Once the swap is completed:
you will have the other learner driver’s original driving test date, time and test centre
they will have yours
both booking records will be updated
Make sure you note the details of your new test slot after the call.
You will keep:
your booking reference number
your payment details
any special requirements you added to your booking
You will not get an email confirmation, but the next reminder email you get from DVSA about your test will have the new details.
