How many times can you change your driving test?

You can change a car driving test up to two times. This dropped from six on 31 March 2026. For motorcycle, lorry, bus, and theory tests the limit is still six.

How much notice do you need to change a driving test?

At least 10 full working days for a car test, or you lose your fee. Monday to Saturday count as working days. Sundays and public holidays do not.

Can my instructor change my driving test for me?

No. Since 12 May 2026 only you can change your own car test. Your instructor can set their available days and times, but you make the change yourself on gov.uk.

Does it count as a change if the DVSA moves my test?

No. If the DVSA cancels or rearranges your test, for example due to weather or examiner illness, that does not use one of your two changes.

What happens after I have changed my test twice?

You can no longer move it. You cancel the test and rebook, which resets your change count so you have two changes again on the new booking.

How do I get an earlier driving test date?

Check gov.uk often for slots freed by cancellations, and use an alert app to spot earlier dates near your centre. You must make the booking yourself, since third parties can no longer change tests for you.

How to Change or Move
Your Driving Test Date (2026 Guide)

SEPTEMBER 24, 2026

5 MIN READ

How to Change or Move Your Driving Test Date

Quick answer: To change your car driving test, go to the official service at gov.uk/change-driving-test and sign in with your provisional licence number and test reference number. Since 31 March 2026 you can change a car test only twice. Give at least 10 full working days notice, or you lose your fee. After two changes you must cancel and rebook, which resets the limit.

Plans change, and sometimes your test date no longer works. The good news is that moving it is quick and free if you follow the current rules. The catch is that those rules changed in 2026, and you now get far fewer changes than before. This guide covers exactly how to change your test, what counts as a change, the notice you need, and how to find an earlier date the right way.

Key facts at a glance

You can change a car driving test up to 2 times. This dropped from 6 on 31 March 2026.

Give at least 10 full working days notice to change or cancel for free. Monday to Saturday count, Sundays and public holidays do not.

A change means moving the date, moving the time, changing the test centre, or swapping with another learner.

After two changes, your only option is to cancel and rebook, which resets your change count.

If the DVSA moves or cancels your test, that does not use up one of your changes.

You change your test online at gov.uk/change-driving-test.

The three 2026 rule changes to know

The DVSA changed the booking rules in 2026 after a large public consultation. Three points matter most.

First, since 31 March 2026 you can change a car test only twice, down from six. Each move of the date, time, or centre uses one change. Changing the date and the centre at the same time counts as one change, not two.

Second, since 12 May 2026 only you can change your own test. A driving instructor or any third party is not allowed to change, swap, or cancel it for you. Your instructor can still set the days and times they are free through the DVSA availability service, and when you enter their reference number the system shows only slots that match their diary. You then make the booking yourself.

Third, since 9 June 2026 you can only move your test to a centre near your original one. Booking a far off centre to grab a slot, then hopping to a closer one, no longer works.

How to change your test, step by step

Go to the official page at gov.uk/change-driving-test. Only use the gov.uk service, never a paid third party.

Pick a new date, time, or test centre from the slots shown.

Check the details and confirm. You will get a new booking confirmation by email.

That is the whole process, and it costs nothing as long as you give enough notice.

What counts as a change

Only these use one of your two changes: moving the date, moving the time, moving to a different test centre, or swapping your slot with another learner who already has a test. Changing more than one of these at once, such as the date and the centre together, still counts as a single change. So if you must move your test, try to sort the date, time, and centre in one go rather than across separate visits.

Notice and fees

For a car test you must give at least 10 full working days notice to change or cancel without losing your fee. Working days are Monday to Saturday. Sundays and public holidays do not count. Miss that window and you lose the fee and have to pay again.

At the time of writing the car test fee is £62 on weekdays and £75 in the evening, at weekends, and on bank holidays. Fees can change, so check gov.uk for the current price before you book.

What happens after two changes

Once you have used both changes, the system will not let you move the test again. Your only route is to cancel the test and book a fresh one. Cancelling and rebooking resets your change count, so you get two changes again on the new booking. Just remember the same 10 working days notice applies to the cancellation if you want your fee back.

How to get an earlier test date

Waiting times in and around West London can run for months, so many learners want an earlier slot. Here is the safe way to find one.

Check the gov.uk service often, since slots free up when others cancel, especially early in the morning. Cancellation alert apps can watch for earlier dates and message you when one appears near your centre. That part is fine. What is no longer allowed is letting an app or a third party book or change the test for you, because since 12 May 2026 only you can do that. So use an alert if you like, then make the change yourself on gov.uk. Being ready to book the moment a slot shows is what wins the earlier date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready and prepared for the date you book?

The best reason to keep a test date is being ready for it. If you are moving your test because you do not feel prepared, a few focused manual lessons can fix that faster than a later date will. TM Drive School gets you test ready on the West London roads you will be driving on. See our prices and book a lesson, read the full 2026 driving test rule changes, or see what to expect on your driving test day next.