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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.

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By Swappy

swappy.uk

Takes effect 12 May 2026

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, both learners call the DVSA themselves on the same day — one requests the swap, the other confirms it. No 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

Takes effect 9 June 2026

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

1

You book your test at a centre

e.g. Birmingham (Kingstanding)

2

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 calls first. One learner phones the DVSA to request it, then the other calls the same day to confirm — no need to meet in person.

Challenge: Neither of you can tell whether the other has called the DVSA yet

Swappy's solution: Swappy keeps the two calls on track — a shared plan, the have-ready checklist and a reminder before the 4pm deadline.

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

Basic

Freeforever

  • List your test and browse swaps
  • Search 1 test centre
  • Email exchange when both agree
  • Full DVSA compliance
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Premium

£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
Premium+

£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?+
From 12 May 2026, only the learner driver themselves can book, change, swap or cancel a car driving test. Driving instructors and third-party services will no longer have access. To complete a swap, both learners call the DVSA themselves on the same day — the first call requests the swap, the second confirms it.
What driving test changes are happening on 9 June 2026?+
From 9 June 2026, the DVSA will restrict test location changes. You'll only be able to move your test to one of the three nearest test centres to where your test is currently booked. This prevents people booking at quiet centres and moving to busy ones.
Can my driving instructor still book my test after May 2026?+
No. From 12 May 2026, only you — the learner driver — can book, change, swap or cancel your own car driving test. Your instructor will no longer have access to manage your booking.
How do I swap my driving test with another learner after May 2026?+
You need to find another learner who wants your test date and agree the swap. You each call the DVSA on 0300 200 1122 (option 2) on the same day — one requests the swap, the other confirms it — and the DVSA finalises both bookings on that second call. Swappy helps you find a match for free.
Do the June location restrictions affect test swapping?+
No. When you swap tests on Swappy, you're swapping dates and times — not locations. Both tests stay at their original centres. The 3-centre location rule only applies when you try to move your own test to a different centre.
Do both learners need to be on the same phone call?+
No — you don't need a conference call. Both learners must call the DVSA on the same day, but separately: the first requests the swap, the second confirms it and that's where the swap completes.
Is Swappy compliant with the new 2026 DVSA rules?+
Yes, fully. Swappy never accesses your DVSA account or booking. It simply connects real learners who want to swap and helps them agree who leads the DVSA call — the DVSA then verifies both learners directly, exactly as the new rules require.
How much does Swappy cost?+
Listing your test and browsing swaps is completely free — forever. Premium costs £4.99/month (or £19.99/year) and includes priority matching and in-app chat. Premium+ at £5.99/month adds instant phone call alerts when a new match appears.
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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.

DVSA Compliant Free forever to list & browsePremium from £4.99/mo

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