Northern Ireland
How to Change a Driving Test in Northern Ireland
Tests in Northern Ireland are run by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA), not the DVSA, and are booked and changed through nidirect. The GB rules on this site — including the 2026 two-change limit — do not apply to DVA bookings.
Two agencies, two systems
Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and Northern Ireland run entirely separate driving test systems:
| Great Britain | Northern Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | DVSA | DVA |
| Book and change at | GOV.UK | nidirect.gov.uk |
| 2026 GB booking rules | Apply (two-change limit, learner-only booking, centre restriction) | Do not apply — DVA sets its own rules |
| Notice and fees | 10 full working days; £62/£75 car test | Set by the DVA — check current figures on nidirect |
We deliberately do not restate DVA notice periods and fees here: they are set separately and can change, so always take the current figures from nidirect itself before acting.
Changing or cancelling a DVA test
Open the nidirect service
Use the official change or cancel a driving test service on nidirect and sign in with your booking details.
Check the notice rules before confirming
The service and its guidance state the current notice needed to keep your fee — read it before committing to a change or cancellation.
Keep the confirmation
As in GB, the confirmation carries the reference you need for anything further.
Moving between the systems
A booking cannot be transferred between DVSA and DVA. If you move between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, cancel with the agency you booked with (watching its notice rules) and book afresh with the other. Theory tests are likewise separate between the two systems.
Frequently asked questions
Does the two-change limit apply in Northern Ireland?
No. The 2026 booking rule changes apply to DVSA car tests in England, Scotland and Wales. DVA bookings in Northern Ireland follow the DVA's own rules on nidirect.
Can I take my driving test in Northern Ireland if I live in England?
The systems are aimed at their own residents and licences. Check the DVA's current eligibility rules on nidirect before trying to book across systems.
Official sources
Related guides
The 2026 booking rules
The two-change limit, learner-only booking and centre restrictions.
Change your test online
The complete step-by-step walkthrough of the GOV.UK change service.
Cancel and get a refund
The 10 working day rule with worked examples and refund timing.