DVSA News

DVSA has changed how driving test swaps work

Since 1 October 2026, two learners swapping driving tests no longer have to be on the phone at the same time. Each learner now calls DVSA separately, but both calls must be made on the same working day.

By DriveSidekick  |  6 October 2026  |  5 min read

Swapping is one of the few legitimate ways to get an earlier driving test date. You find another learner who wants your slot, they take yours and you take theirs. Until last week, the catch was coordination: both learners had to be available at the same time so DVSA could confirm the swap with each of them in one go.

DVSA has now removed that step. From 1 October 2026, the swap is split into two separate phone calls. The first learner requests the swap, and the second learner confirms it later the same working day. DVSA says the aim is to make swapping smoother and less stressful, because learners no longer have to line up their availability.

How a test swap works now

1. Find a swap partner and agree the details. You must both want each other's exact test date, time and test centre, and both tests must be the same fee type (see the rules below).
2. Learner 1 calls DVSA on 0300 200 1122 to request the swap. Have your driving licence number, your booking reference and the other learner's details ready.
3. Learner 2 calls DVSA on the same working day to confirm the swap, ideally before 4pm. DVSA will run security checks, ask learner 2 to agree to a legal declaration, and ask for the details of both tests, so learner 2 needs their own licence and booking details and learner 1's test details ready before calling.
4. DVSA processes the swap once both learners have confirmed. Check your booking afterwards to make sure the new date, time and centre are shown.

Each learner has to make their own call. DVSA's rules do not allow anyone to change, swap or cancel a test for someone else, so a friend, parent or instructor cannot call on your behalf.

What has changed and what has not

The rules that still apply

The new process only changes how the swap is confirmed. Every other rule is the same:

• It uses up a booking change. A swap counts as one of the 2 changes each learner is allowed to make to a test. Both of you need at least one change left. The limit dropped from six to two in March 2026; our booking changes explainer covers the background.
• The 10 working day rule. You must request the swap at least 10 full working days before the earlier of the two tests. Monday to Saturday count as working days. Sundays and public holidays do not.
• Same fee type. A weekday test (£62) can only be swapped for another weekday test, and an evening, weekend or bank holiday test (£75) only for another of the same. Tests with extra time are the same: an extended test can only be swapped for an extended test of the same fee type. No money changes hands between learners.
• Location limits. For tests booked from 9 June 2026, you can only swap with a learner whose test is at the same centre as yours, one of the 3 nearest centres to it, or the centre you first booked at. This matches the June 2026 rule on test centre transfers.
• Car tests only. The swap service applies to car driving tests.

Practical tips for a smooth swap

• Agree a day before anyone calls. The request expires at the end of the working day, so learner 1 should only call when learner 2 can definitely call later that day.
• Call early. If learner 1 calls in the morning, learner 2 has plenty of time to confirm before 4pm.
• Share both tests' details in advance. Learner 2 has to give DVSA the details of both tests, so swap test dates, times and centres with your partner before anyone calls.
• Avoid Sundays and bank holidays. These are not working days, and they do not count toward the 10 day notice period.
• Check your change allowance and fee type first. If either of you has already used both changes, or your tests are different fee types, DVSA cannot process the swap.
• Be careful who you swap with. DVSA does not charge to swap a test. Never pay someone for a test slot or give anyone your booking login details.

What this means for driving instructors

Instructors can still help students arrange swaps, but each student must make their own call to DVSA. If you are coordinating a swap between two of your own students, agree a day with both of them and make sure the second student knows they need to call the same day. Remind them that a swap uses one of their two booking changes, as it affects how much flexibility they have left if the test date later moves.

Also from DVSA: new booking system trial

DVSA has also published an update on its new Driver Services Platform, which will eventually replace the current car test booking system. On 23 and 30 July 2026, 14 learners took real car tests at Durham Driving Test Centre that were booked through the new platform. The trial tested payments, bookings, scheduling and the link to the tablet app examiners use during tests. Bookings appeared on examiners' tablets as expected, and results were passed to DVLA so successful candidates got their full licences quickly.

DVSA says it was pleased with the outcome, although not everything ran smoothly and a lot of the work was done manually behind the scenes. The next step is to repeat that success with less manual input, including taking payments and letting learners choose their test dates. Car tests come first, with motorcycle, instructor and lorry and bus tests to follow later. There is no date yet for a wider rollout, so nothing changes for learners booking tests today.

Sources: GOV.UK: Swapping your driving test with another learner driver; DVSA Despatch blog: Testing the new Driver Services Platform.