DVSA Contact

DVSA Phone Number, Opening Hours and What to Say When Changing Your Test Date

Calling DVSA to change your test date is straightforward once you know the number, the best time to call, and exactly what to say. Here's everything you need — including what changed for test swaps on 1 October 2026.

DVSA phone number guide

DVSA Phone Number

0300 200 1122

Monday to Friday, 8am – 5pm · select option 2 and follow the prompts

What to Have Ready Before You Call

Your DVSA booking reference (on your test confirmation email)
Your driving licence number
Your current test details (centre, date, time)
The date, time and test centre you want to change to
Your payment card, if you're booking or changing a test yourself — not needed if your instructor booked before 12 May 2026

What to Say on the Call

Sample script:

"Hi, I'd like to change the date of my practical driving test. My booking reference is [REFERENCE]. I'd like to change it to [NEW DATE], [NEW TIME] at [NEW CENTRE]. My driving licence number is [NUMBER]."

Best Times to Call DVSA

DVSA lines are busiest on Monday mornings. The best times to get through quickly are Tuesday–Thursday, between 9:30am and 11:30am, or 2pm–3:30pm. Avoid Monday mornings and Friday afternoons.

Swapping a Test on the Phone: Both of You Call

Swapping is different from simply changing your own date — you and another learner exchange your existing bookings. It also counts as one of the two changes you're allowed to make to your test.

The Swap Process Since 1 October 2026

📞 You both call DVSA — separately, on the same day

DVSA changed this process on 1 October 2026. One learner calls first to request the swap; the other must call the same day to confirm it. The swap only completes on that second call. Dial 0300 200 1122 and select option 2 — lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

Call 1

The first learner requests the swap

  1. 1Ring DVSA on 0300 200 1122 and select option 2.
  2. 2Pass the security checks.
  3. 3Agree to the legal declaration.
  4. 4Give DVSA the details of both tests, including the other learner's booking reference.
  5. 5DVSA records the swap request — nothing changes yet.
Call 2

The other learner confirms — same day

  1. 1Ring DVSA on 0300 200 1122 and select option 2 — on the same day as the first call.
  2. 2Pass the security checks.
  3. 3Agree to the legal declaration.
  4. 4Give DVSA the details of both tests.
  5. 5DVSA completes the swap on this call.

What to have ready before you call

  • Your driving licence number
  • Your own driving test booking reference number
  • The other learner's booking reference number
  • The payment card you used to book (not needed if your instructor booked your test before 12 May 2026)
  • Your current test date, time and centre
  • The date, time and centre of the test you have agreed to swap to
  • Details of any driving tests you have taken before

Don't leave the second call late

Both of you must call on the same day, and the second caller should ring no later than 4pm to leave time for the swap to be completed that day.

The request falls through if:

  • • The second learner does not call before the request expires at the end of the day — DVSA will not tell the first learner, so agree between you who calls when.
  • • Either test is changed after the first call — the request is no longer valid and DVSA will explain this on the second call.
  • • The details given on the two calls do not match, someone fails the security check, or either learner does not agree to the declaration.

DVSA won't be able to complete the swap in any of these cases — both tests stay exactly as they are, and you'd start again from the first call. A request also can't be switched to a different learner while it's open.

After you've swapped

  • • You take the other learner's original date, time and centre — they take yours.
  • • DVSA emails you both your new booking details.
  • • You keep your own booking reference, your payment details and any special requirements you added.

Find a Swap Partner on Swappy

Swappy matches you with a learner whose test suits you both, helps you agree the day you'll each call DVSA, and shares the booking references the calls need.

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