Home / DVSA Test Changes 2026
Updated 24 March 2026 · 8 min read
DVSA Driving Test Changes
May & June 2026 —
Everything You Need to Know
The DVSA has confirmed two major rule changes that will affect every UK learner driver. From 12 May 2026, only you — the learner — can manage your test booking. From 9 June 2026, location restrictions limit how far you can move your test. Here's the full breakdown and what it means for swapping tests.
By Swappy
swappy.uk
May 2026: Learners Take Full Control of Test Bookings
The biggest shake-up to the driving test system in years. The DVSA confirmed that from Monday 12 May 2026, only the learner driver themselves will be allowed to book, change, swap or cancel a car driving test. Here's what's changing:
Instructors can no longer book tests
Driving instructors will lose the ability to book, change, swap or cancel tests on behalf of their students. Only the learner's own DVSA account can be used.
Third-party services blocked
Bots and resellers that book tests in bulk and sell them at inflated prices (up to £500 per test) will be shut out of the system entirely.
Swaps are confirmed by phone with both learners
To swap a driving test, one learner leads the call to the DVSA while the other waits on standby — the DVSA calls them mid-swap to confirm. No more exchanging licence numbers over WhatsApp.
Standard test fees protected
Learners should only ever pay the official DVSA fee — £62 on weekdays, £75 on evenings/weekends. No more paying hundreds to touts.
"Learners deserve clear, honest access to tests – not being ripped off by third-party sites. These changes put learners back in control, stop the system being gamed, and help make sure tests go to those who really need them."
— Simon Lightwood, Roads Minister
June 2026: Location Restrictions — The 3-Centre Rule
From Tuesday 9 June 2026, the DVSA will limit how far you can move your driving test location. This targets a common trick used by touts — booking tests at quiet rural centres and then moving them to high-demand urban centres.
How the 3-Centre Rule Works
You book your test at a centre
e.g. Birmingham (Kingstanding)
You can only move it to one of the 3 nearest centres
e.g. South Yardley, Shirley, or Sutton Coldfield — not London or Manchester
Swapping test dates is NOT affected
Swapping keeps both tests at their original centres — only the dates and times change between the two learners
Good news for Swappy users
When you swap tests on Swappy, you're swapping dates and times, not locations. Your test stays at your booked centre. This means the June location restrictions don't affect test swapping — making Swappy an even more valuable tool for getting a better test date.
Full Timeline of DVSA Changes in 2026
Mark these dates in your calendar — they will affect every UK learner driver.
31 March 2026
Test amendments reduced to 2
The number of changes you can make to a driving test booking drops from 6 to 2.
12 May 2026
Learner-only bookings begin
Only learners can book, change, swap or cancel their own car driving test. Instructors and third parties blocked.
12 May 2026
Both-on-call swap requirement
Both learners must be on the same phone call with the DVSA to swap a test. No more swapping by sharing licence numbers.
9 June 2026
3-centre location restriction
You can only move your test to one of the 3 nearest centres. Cross-country moves blocked.
What This Means if You Want to Swap Your Driving Test
The new rules make test swapping harder in some ways — but Swappy is designed to solve every one of these challenges.
Challenge: You must manage your own booking
Swappy's solution: Swappy only connects you with other learners — you stay in full control of your own DVSA account. We never touch your booking.
Challenge: The DVSA must confirm the swap with both learners
Swappy's solution: Swappy helps you agree the swap and decide who leads the call. One learner phones the DVSA, the other waits on standby — the DVSA calls them mid-swap to confirm. No need to meet in person.
Challenge: You can't be on a conference call together
Swappy's solution: You don't need to be. No 3-way calling or network tricks required — the DVSA contacts each learner directly on its official line and finalises both bookings in one go.
Challenge: You can't share your licence number beforehand
Swappy's solution: Swappy never asks for licence numbers. All personal details are shared only with the DVSA agent on the live call. Your data stays private.
100% free for our Basic account · No card required
Why Swappy is the Best Way to Swap Your Driving Test in 2026
Built specifically for the new DVSA rules. No bots, no resellers, no inflated prices.
DVSA Compliant
Built for the May 2026 rules
One Simple Call
One leads, DVSA calls the other
Swap From Home
No meeting in person
Pupil-to-Pupil
Real learners, no middlemen
Fast Matching
Priority placement for Premium
Instant Alerts
Phone call alerts on Premium+
Plans & Pricing
Freeforever
- List your test and browse swaps
- Search 1 test centre
- Email exchange when both agree
- Full DVSA compliance
£4.99/month
- Guided DVSA swap call process
- Browse up to 5 test centres
- Priority listing placement
- Instant email alerts for new matches
- In-app chat (no email sharing needed)
- Swap from home — no meeting in person
£5.99/month
- Everything in Premium
- Instant phone call alert when a match appears
- Be the first to know — before anyone else
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the 2026 DVSA changes and how Swappy helps.
What changes to driving test bookings are happening on 12 May 2026?+
What driving test changes are happening on 9 June 2026?+
Can my driving instructor still book my test after May 2026?+
How do I swap my driving test with another learner after May 2026?+
Do the June location restrictions affect test swapping?+
Do both learners need to be on the same phone call?+
Is Swappy compliant with the new 2026 DVSA rules?+
How much does Swappy cost?+
Don't Wait Until the Rules Change — Get Set Up on Swappy Now
With the May and June 2026 DVSA changes just weeks away, now is the perfect time to list your test and find a swap partner. Creating an account is 100% free — you only need Premium when it's time to make the call.
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