On 23 April 2026, we hosted a second webinar for approved driving instructors (ADIs) to talk more about upcoming changes to the driving test booking rules.
This followed a previous webinar in February that focused on what is changing and why we’re making these changes.
In our recent session, my colleagues talked about how the new booking rules work, what they’ll mean for you and your pupils and how you can support them. We also talked about the changes being made to the online business service (OBS) and how you use it, how swapping a test will work, and how we are communicating these changes to your pupils.
I wanted to acknowledge and apologise for the technical difficulties in the webinar on the 23 April that made it difficult for some of you to join. To address this, we ran an additional session on 7 May, which over 200 ADIs attended, giving you the chance to ask your questions.
Thank you for joining these sessions and for giving your time and asking your questions so we can work together to support learner drivers through these changes.
Watch the webinar recording
If you couldn’t join us live, the recording of the webinar on 23 April is available, and you can watch it below.
Your questions
During the Q&A session on 7 May, you asked questions on swapping tests, the OBS, and other topics. Below you’ll find an overview of the questions that were asked and our answers.
Booking and managing a driving test
Who can book and manage a driving test?
From 12 May, only the learner who is taking the driving test can book and manage their test. Other people can support or help them, but the learner must make the booking themselves.
Can parents, instructors, or others help a learner book a test?
Yes. Learners can receive help from parents, instructors or others, including support for disabilities or language barriers. However, the booking must still be made by the learner.
Will learners use a new booking system from 12 May, and will there be any updates or improvements to help learners find available test slots more easily?
No. Learners will continue to use the existing GOV.UK driving test booking system, which will remain the same as it is.
Are there any new security checks when booking a test?
Learners will need to do a self-declaration to confirm that they are the person taking the test and agree to the terms and conditions when using the booking system. No additional identity checks are being introduced at this stage.
Do learners need an email address to book a test?
Yes. An email address is mandatory. Learners must provide an email address when booking so they can receive important updates about their test.
Where can we view the statutory or legislative information that means only learner drivers can book and manage tests?
The legislation can be found on legislation.gov. The Regulation is titled “the Motor Vehicle Driving Licence Amendment Regulations 2026” and is order number 326.
Changing or cancelling a test
How many times can a learner change their test?
Learners can change their test date or location up to 2 times. After this limit is reached, they cannot make further changes.
What happens if a learner has already changed their test twice?
If a learner has already made two changes, they can cancel their test and rebook, which will reset the change limit.
Does cancelling a test reset the change limit?
Yes. If a learner cancels their test, the change limit resets.
If DVSA cancels or rearranges a test, does that count toward the 2‑change limit?
No. When DVSA cancels or reschedules a test, the learner is not penalised, and this does not count towards the two allowed changes.
Swapping driving tests
Does DVSA run or approve a test‑swap system?
No. DVSA will not facilitating the listing or matching of driving tests for swaps. Learners themselves are responsible for finding someone that they want to swap with.
DVSA does not run, approve or endorse any system, website or service that lists, matches or brokers test swaps.
How does a test swap work?
Learners must arrange swaps themselves. If two learners agree to swap tests, DVSA can process the swap by phone. Both learners must be available at the same time so their identity and consent can be confirmed before the swap is completed. We have published guidance on how learner driver can swap driving tests on GOV.UK.
Can instructors swap tests on behalf of learners?
No. Instructors cannot request or complete a swap on behalf of learners. If an instructor has 2 pupils who may want to swap, they can facilitate that discussion if both learners agree, but the learners must contact DVSA themselves.
Will learners or instructors receive a confirmation email after a swap?
No. There is currently no confirmation email issued after a swap is completed.
When a swap has been actioned, how will the ADI be informed?
The learner should inform the ADI that the swap has been made.
How will DVSA obtain the second learner’s phone number for swaps?
DVSA’s contact centre can obtain detail through the booking reference number. Learners need to make sure they update their records. If there is no contact information the swap will not be processed.
Do the learners have to be available at the same time for the swap?
Yes, both learners need to be available at the same time to confirm their details and their consent to the swap. If the either learner is unavailable, the swap will not be processed.
How exactly does DVSA authenticate learners on swap calls?
DVSA staff will undertake security checks with learners to ensure they are speaking to the correct person.
Driving instructors and availability
Can instructors still see available test slots?
No. Instructors will not be able to see test availability. Learners will see available tests when they book.
Will OBS show tests booked by learners using an instructor’s ADI number?
No. OBS only shows tests booked by the instructor, not tests booked directly by learners.
What does “minutes between tests” mean in instructor availability?
It is the time between the expected end of one test and the scheduled start of the next test.
Can trainee instructors (PDIs) set availability?
Yes, but only if they are registered under a business that has a fully qualified ADI. This is set by registrar rules.
In the past, where pupils have input my ADI number, it is not recognised. Why might that be?
It could be that the number has been entered incorrectly, or it could be that availability wasn’t registered. Ensure your availability registered and the pupil is using the right number.
Third‑party services and apps
Are cancellation or test‑finding apps allowed?
No. The use of third‑party apps, bots or automated services breaches the terms and conditions of the booking system.
What action can DVSA take if terms and conditions are breached?
Where a breach of the T&Cs has occurred, we will take some or all of the following actions:
- contact the learner to confirm the details for your booking or request additional information
- issue a warning notice
- revoke your ability to book and manage a driving or riding test online
- reschedule or cancel your booking
We will report any attacks or attempts to gain unauthorised access to the service to the relevant law enforcement authorities and share relevant information with them.
Test availability and waiting times
Will the new booking rules reduce waiting times?
The booking reforms are focused on fairness and equity, not directly on reducing waiting times. Waiting times may remain similar overall, though regional differences may become more visible.
DVSA Contact Centre
Have any measures been put in place to manage the increase in calls and the length of calls handled by DVSA call centre?
Yes, DVSA has put in measures to maximise resource and assist with a possible increase in traffic and/or handling times.
Will the opening hours of the call centre be extended?
In February 2026 we extended public opening times from 8am-4pm to 8am to 5pm. Opening hours will not be extended further.
Geolocation
Can learners book or change tests at non‑local test centres? For example, my pupil lives 100 miles away but intends to take his test whilst at Uni at my local test centre, is this possible?
After the 9th of June a learner can book a test in any test centre, at that point if they want to move the test centre, they will be restricted to the three closest test centres.
Test refunds
If a learner cancels a test originally booked by an instructor, who receives the refund?
The test fee will always go back to the original payment method. This could be one or more payment cards, or even a prefunded account.
Supporting your pupils through the changes
To support your pupils through these changes, you can:
- share booking references so learners can manage their tests later
- encourage your pupils to get their booking reference, add their own contact details to their booking and check their test location
- set up Availability Management in OBS
- use the updated Ready to Pass? toolkit to share messages
Stay updated
You can stay updated on the changes to the booking rules here
Thank you to everyone who joined the webinar, watched the recording or sent in questions.
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