The new rules are in! (Test swap changes)

The new rules are in! (Test swap changes)

Today is the day - the DVSA rules on driving test bookings have changed.  Starting today, you can only manage your own driving test; it is no longer lawful for anyone to do it on your behalf.  This means that test swap apps or any other 3rd party service to manage driving test bookings are not permitted.

A quick reminder of the rules

  • You can only make changes to your own test.  Your driving instructor cannot do it for you.
  • You are only allowed to make a change to your driving test twice.  
  • A 'change' includes any modification to the test booking such as:
    • Changing the date or the time
    • Changing the test centre
    • Swapping the booking with another student
  • Test swapping apps are no longer legal to use

So how do I swap my test with someone else?

It is still possible to do, but nobody can do it for you, not even your instructor.  You (or the person you are swapping with) will have to call the DVSA and ask them to make the change.  First you should check that it's possible to make the swap.  Here are the things to check:

  • You and the person you are swapping with, must both agree to the swap
  • A swap counts as one of your two permitted changes, so both you and the other person must have at least one 'change' left on your booking.
  • You must request the swap at least 10 working days before the earliest test.  (Saturdays count as working days.  Sundays and Bank Holidays do not.)
  • The types of the two test bookings must match exactly.  e.g. You cannot swap a weekday test with a weekend test.  You cannot swap a standard test with an extended time test.
  • Check that your instructor is free on the day, assuming that you plan to use their car.  ZED School students can check using this page.  Your instructor will enable you to book the use of the training car, provided that they are happy that you are ready to take your test.

How to do the swap:

  • Call the DVSA on 0300 200 1122, and choose option 1 at the prompts.
  • Give them the details of your driving test.  (You'll need your booking reference number, your driving licence number, and your usual personal details such as name, address, etc.)
  • They will ask for the reference number of the other person's test.  That's all you need to provide.  No other details of the other student are required.
  • The DVSA will call the other student, using the contact details that are listed on their booking.
  • If both candidates agree to the swap, the DVSA will make the change.
  • After 9th June, the tests can only be swapped if the bookings are at the same test centre, or being swapped between the three nearest test centres.
  • Test swaps can only be arranged by phone.  Driving tests cannot be swapped online, by text message, via social media, or via web chat.
  • Driving instructors cannot swap a test on behalf of their students, even by phone.
  • Both learners must be available at the same time when the swap is made.  They do not need to be in the same place and physically together.  The DVSA will contact both learners individually at the time of the swap.

Gotchas:

  • Don't call the DVSA to make the swap, unless you know that the other student is available to receive a call from them.  If they can't contact the other student, the swap will not go ahead.
  • Ensure that the other person has got their contact details correctly recorded on their test booking.  You cannot supply a contact number for the other candidate, and ask the DVSA to call that number.

 

Additional rules starting 9th June 2026:

In addition to the above changes, there will be some additional restrictions that will come into force on 9th June.  You will only be able to swap a test to a limited number of driving test centres:

  • The same test centre as the one you're currently booked for
  • One of the three nearest test centres to the one you're currently booked for
  • The test centre that you originally booked (i.e. if you are swapping back again)

Which are my three nearest test centres?

Burgess Hill driving tests can be moved to:

  • Crawley
  • Redhill Aerodrome
  • Worthing

Crawley driving tests can be moved to:

  • Burgess Hill
  • Redhill Aerodrome
  • Worthing

 

 

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