How to Change Your Driving Test Appointment
Have you booked your practical driving test but need to change the date, time or test centre?
You may be able to change your appointment using the official DVSA online service. However, there are important rules about how many times you can make changes and how much notice you need to give.
The rules for car practical tests changed in 2026, so make sure you understand them before changing your booking.
1. How to change your driving test appointment
You can use the official GOV.UK service to:
- Move your test to an earlier appointment.
- Move your test to a later date.
- Change your test centre, where permitted.
To change your appointment:
- Visit the official GOV.UK – Change your driving test page.
- Select the option to start the service.
- Enter your UK driving licence number.
- Enter your driving test reference number or theory test pass certificate number.
- Follow the instructions to find an alternative appointment.
- Check the new date, time and test centre carefully.
- Confirm the change and keep your updated booking details.
The online service is available from 6am to 11:40pm.
2. How many times can you change your driving test?
The number of changes you can make depends on the type of test.
Car practical tests
You can make a maximum of two changes to your car practical test booking.
A change includes:
- Changing the date or time.
- Changing the test centre.
- Swapping your appointment with another learner who already has a test booked.
Changing more than one detail at the same time still counts as one change.
For example, if you change both your test date and test centre in one transaction, that counts as one change.
If you use both changes and need to make another change, you will have to cancel your appointment and book a new test.
Other types of driving tests
For motorcycle, lorry, bus and other non-car tests, you can normally make up to six changes.
Different rules apply to these test categories, so check the official GOV.UK guidance before making a change.
3. Can you change your driving test to another test centre?
For car practical tests, you cannot move your appointment to just any test centre.
You can move it to:
- One of the three nearest test centres to the centre where your test is currently booked.
- The test centre where you originally booked that appointment.
If you make another change, the nearest test centres are worked out again using the centre where your test is booked at that time.
This restriction applies to car practical tests. Other types of tests have different arrangements.
You can check the official list of test centres you can move your car test to.
4. How much notice do you need to give?
If you want to change your appointment without losing your test fee, you must give the required notice.
| Type of test | Notice required |
|---|---|
| Car practical test | 10 full working days |
| Other driving tests | 3 full working days |
Monday to Saturday count as working days. Sundays and public holidays do not.
If you give less notice, you will normally have to pay for another test.
If you change to a more expensive appointment, such as a weekend or evening car test, you will need to pay the difference. If you change to a cheaper appointment, you should receive the difference back.
Check your booking confirmation or the online service to find the latest date you can change your appointment without losing your fee.
5. What if you need to change your test at short notice?
Sometimes something unexpected happens and you cannot attend your test.
DVSA may consider a refund if you need to change your appointment at short notice because of an unavoidable circumstance.
Examples include:
- An illness or injury that means you cannot take your test.
- A bereavement.
- Having to take an exam at school or college at the same time.
- Having your driving licence stolen.
You will need to provide supporting evidence.
Examples include:
- A fit note or medical certificate from a healthcare professional.
- A letter from your school or college confirming the exam.
- A crime reference number and the contact details of the police officer dealing with a stolen licence.
Email DVSA with the subject:
Unavoidable short notice cancellation
Email: customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk
Include at least two of the following:
- Your driving licence number.
- Your theory test pass certificate number.
- Your driving test booking reference.
DVSA will review your request and tell you whether a refund has been approved.
6. Can your driving instructor change your test for you?
No. Under the rules introduced in 2026, you must manage your own car practical test booking.
Your instructor cannot book, change, swap or cancel your car test for you.
You can still ask your instructor for advice and help while you make the booking, but you must be present and complete the required steps yourself.
It is a good idea to speak to your instructor before changing your test so you can check their availability for the new appointment.
7. Can you use a cancellation finder to find an earlier test?
You can check the official DVSA booking service yourself for earlier appointments.
New test appointments are normally released 24 weeks ahead at 6am every Monday. Earlier appointments can also appear when another learner changes or cancels their test.
However, you must not use unofficial websites or apps that scan the DVSA booking system for available appointments.
DVSA can suspend access to the online booking service or cancel bookings if its rules are broken.
There is no official waiting list or cancellation list for driving tests.
8. What if you have used all your changes?
If you have used both changes allowed for a car practical test, you will need to cancel your existing appointment and book a new one.
You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 10 full working days before your test.
You will then need to pay the test fee again when booking your replacement appointment.
Before doing this, check the available appointments and speak to your instructor so you do not cancel a test unnecessarily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my driving test to an earlier date?
Yes. You can look for an earlier appointment through the official GOV.UK service, subject to the rules and your remaining changes.
Can I change my test date and test centre at the same time?
Yes. For a car test, changing more than one detail in the same transaction still counts as one change.
Can I change my driving test more than twice?
You cannot make more than two changes to an existing car test booking. If you need another change, you must cancel and book a new test.
Can my instructor change my driving test?
No. You must manage your own car practical test booking. Your instructor can advise you, but cannot make the change for you.
What happens if DVSA changes my test?
If DVSA changes your appointment, for example because of bad weather, your two-change allowance is reset.
Do I need to pay if I change my test?
You can normally change your appointment without paying again if you give the required notice. You may need to pay a price difference if the new appointment costs more.
Official Information and Booking
Always use the official government service to manage your appointment.
- Change your driving test – GOV.UK
- Changes to driving test booking rules in 2026
- Check which test centres you can move your test to
FQ Driving Academy is an independent driving education resource and is not affiliated with DVSA. Last reviewed: November 2026
Need more help preparing for your test? Visit our Driving Test Preparation section for useful advice, checklists and learner resources.