Driving Test Location Restrictions: You Can Only Book at Local Centres from June 2026
From 9 June 2026, the DVSA will restrict where you can book your driving test. You'll only be able to choose test centres within a set distance of your home address. Here's what this means for you and for test swaps.
Quick Answer
From 9 June 2026, DVSA will restrict driving test bookings to centres within a set distance of your home address (the address on your provisional licence). You will no longer be able to book at distant centres with shorter waiting times. The exact distance limit has not yet been confirmed. This change aims to make test availability fairer for all learners.
Why Is DVSA Adding Location Restrictions?
Many learners have been booking tests at centres hundreds of miles from home — often in rural areas with shorter waiting lists. While understandable, this practice creates unfair demand spikes at those centres and increases wait times for local learners. The DVSA's location restriction aims to level the playing field.
What This Means in Practice
When you try to book a test on GOV.UK from 9 June, you will only see test centres within the allowed distance from your registered address. This is determined by the address on your provisional driving licence.
How Does This Affect Driving Test Swaps?
Swapping still works — but it becomes even more important to find someone at a nearby centre. Swappy lets you filter listings by test centre and set your preferred centres, so you only see relevant matches.
Swappy helps
- • Filter by your local test centres
- • Save up to 5 favourite centres (Premium)
- • Get email alerts for new local listings
- • Swap with confidence using 3-way calling
What to do now
- • Update your licence address if you've moved
- • Set your local centres on Swappy now
- • Create a listing before 9 June
- • Consider swapping sooner rather than later
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book a driving test at any centre in the UK in 2026?
No. From 9 June 2026, the DVSA will restrict driving test bookings to centres within a set distance of your home address. You will no longer be able to book at distant centres with shorter waiting times.
What is the distance limit for driving test centres from June 2026?
The DVSA has not yet published the exact distance limit. The restriction takes effect on 9 June 2026 and will be based on the address registered on your provisional driving licence.
Can I still swap my driving test with someone at a different centre?
Yes. Swapping is done through the DVSA and may be subject to the new location rules. However, swapping with someone who has a test at a nearby centre is the safest option. Swappy lets you filter listings by centre to find local matches.
Why is DVSA adding location restrictions to test bookings?
The DVSA found that learners were booking tests at distant centres with shorter waiting lists, sometimes hundreds of miles away. This created unfair demand at those centres and inflated waiting times. The location restriction aims to ensure fairness.
Find a Local Swap Before June
Once location restrictions apply, your options narrow. Start looking for a swap now while you still have maximum flexibility.