From 31 March 2026, the DVSA (Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency) is reducing the number of allowed changes to a car driving test booking. Currently, the limit is 6, but this will reduce to 2. This change aims to curb excessive rescheduling and make the system fairer. There will be further restrictions later in spring 2026, requiring learners to book their own tests, rather than instructors.
At the moment, anyone who access to an ADIs registration number, can use that to book a driving test. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous ADIs (Approved Driving Instructor) have sold their registrations numbers to others. This allows companies, which often employ ‘bots’, to bulk book tests. They then sell these on to learner drivers at hugely inflated prices.
These bots, also search for earlier test appointments, and book them without effectively informing the test candidate. This results in tests being missed.
So the rule changes are intended to make the booking system fairer. In addition to help reduced the long waiting list.
Key Changes to Driving Test Bookings (Coming into force on 31 March 2026):
- Limiting the maximum number of changes: Learners and instructors will only be able to make two changes per booking (down from six).
- What counts as a change:Â Changing the date, time, test centre, or swapping with another learner counts as one of your two changes.
- For existing bookings:Â Even if you have already made changes before the 31st of March, you will have a fresh limit of two changes after that date.
- Rules for beyond March:Â If you need more than two changes, you must cancel and rebook the test.
- Restrictions on ADIs (Later in Spring 2026):Â ADIs will no longer be able to book tests for their pupil. Learners must make and manage their own bookings.
- Restrictions on locations (Later Spring 2026): You will only be able to move a test to nearby driving test centres. There is no information yet on what the maximum distance will be.
If you want to make any changes to a driving test booking, you must do this at least 10 full working days before your test date. If you don’t do this, you will lose your fee.
