Changing a test
How to Change Your Driving Test Online
Go to gov.uk/change-driving-test, sign in with your driving licence number and booking reference, choose a new date, time or centre, and confirm. It is free with more than 10 full working days before your test. Since 2026 you must do this yourself and you can change each booking a maximum of twice.
changedrivingtest.uk is an independent information website. We are not affiliated with DVSA, DVA or GOV.UK. Bookings can only be changed through the official services linked below.
- The change service is free to use — never pay a third party to move your test.
- Free change with 10+ full working days' notice; inside that window you lose the fee and pay again.
- Working days are Monday to Saturday, excluding Sundays and public holidays.
- Maximum 2 changes per booking since 31 March 2026; several edits in one session count as one change.
- Only you can change your booking since 12 May 2026 — not your instructor or an app.
- The online service is normally available 6am to 11:40pm.
What you need before you start
- Your UK driving licence number — printed on the front of your provisional licence.
- Your booking reference — in your booking confirmation email. If you cannot find it, your theory test pass certificate number works instead for car tests.
- The email address used for the booking, so the new confirmation reaches you.
- A shortlist of dates, times or centres you would accept. Slots can disappear while you decide, so knowing your answer in advance helps.
Check your instructor's availability before you pick a new slot if you plan to use their car. Since only you can make the change, agree the options with them first, then complete the booking yourself.
How to change your driving test step by step
Step 1: Open the official GOV.UK service
Go to gov.uk/change-driving-test and select Start now. Check the address bar shows gov.uk — copycat sites imitate the service and charge for it. The official change service is free.
Step 2: Enter your booking details
Sign in with your driving licence number plus your booking reference (or theory pass certificate number). The service confirms the test it has found — check the candidate name, date and centre are yours before continuing.
Step 3: Choose what to change
Pick the date, time or centre — or any combination. Changing several things in one session still counts as one change against your limit of two, so bundle everything you need into a single visit.
Step 4: Pick a new slot
The calendar shows available dates at your chosen centre; select a date to see its times. Weekday daytime tests cost £62 and evening, weekend or bank holiday tests £75, so moving between the two adjusts what you have paid. Centre moves are limited to your three nearest centres or your original centre (details).
Step 5: Confirm and save the email
Review the summary, confirm, and keep the new confirmation email — it contains the booking reference you will need for any future change or cancellation. If no email arrives, check spam, then verify the booking by signing in again.
When changing is free and when it is not
Count 10 full working days back from your test date, not counting the test day itself. Working days include Saturdays but not Sundays or public holidays. If today is before that deadline, the change is free. If you are inside the window, the system treats it like a late cancellation: the fee for the original test is lost and you pay again for the new slot. If you are inside the window because of illness, bereavement or another serious documented reason, read our guide to short notice cancellation refunds before deciding.
What counts towards your two changes
| Action | Uses a change? |
|---|---|
| Changing the date, the time or the centre (in any combination, one session) | Yes — counts as one change |
| Swapping tests with another learner | Yes — one change for each learner |
| Updating your address or contact details | No |
| Adding or removing your instructor's reference number | No |
| Changes DVSA makes, e.g. bad weather or examiner unavailability | No |
Once both changes are used, the booking is fixed. To move it again you must cancel and rebook, which starts a new booking with a fresh allowance of two.
Common problems and solutions
- The service cannot find my booking. Re-type your licence number exactly as printed, with no spaces, and try your theory pass certificate number instead of the booking reference. If it still fails, contact DVSA — details in our fees and contact guide.
- No dates are showing. Availability changes constantly as other learners move their tests. Try different times of day and each of your allowed centres, and see our guide to finding an earlier date.
- The service is unavailable. It closes overnight (roughly 11:40pm to 6am) and occasionally for maintenance. Try again later rather than resorting to an unofficial tool.
- I only want a different time on the same day. That is still a change and uses your allowance — see changing the time before you commit.
Since 12 May 2026 it is against the rules for anyone other than you to access or manage your booking, and unofficial systems are blocked from scanning the booking service. Do not give your driving licence number to apps or websites that offer to change or "auto-book" tests for you. Manage your booking yourself through GOV.UK.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change my driving test for free?
Yes, if you give at least 10 full working days' notice before the test. Inside that window the original fee is lost and you pay again for the new slot.
Can I change my test if I've lost my booking reference?
For a car test you can sign in with your theory test pass certificate number instead. Otherwise contact DVSA to recover the reference — see our contact guide.
Does changing the date and centre together count as two changes?
No. Everything you change in a single session counts as one change against your limit of two.
Can I change my test by phone?
Yes. DVSA can change a booking by phone during opening hours, and swaps with another learner can only be done by phone. The online service is faster for straightforward changes.
Official sources
Related guides
Change the test date
Deadlines, costs and how to pick a new date wisely.
Change the test centre
The 9 June 2026 centre restriction explained, with tips for choosing.
Cancel and get a refund
The 10 working day rule with worked examples and refund timing.