Change Your Driving Test
In this article
There are a few reasons why you might want to change your driving test, these include;
Booking an earlier driving test
Candidates who need to find an earlier driving test often end up changing their initial driving test date. You can fast track your driving test using our driving test cancellation checker. Use the service to find short notice driving tests at test centres across the country.
Finding a later driving test
Candidates may also change their driving test to find a later test date. We see this often as circumstances change all the time. If you want to change your driving test appointment, we can help you book a driving test for a time that works for you.
Changing driving test centres
The DVSA also allow you to change your driving test centre. Candidates often change sites when they find a new test centre with a higher pass rate or if they feel one test centre suits them better than another.
Everything you need to know about changing your driving test
You can change your driving test up to 8 times without losing your original booking. If you want to change your driving test for the 9th time, you will have to cancel your original booking and book a new driving test. You will then be able to change the date of the new driving test appointment.
Once you have booked your driving test and received your email confirmation, you can log into the DVSA’s website and change your driving test. You can change your driving test straight away, and there is no minimum waiting time.
Unfortunately, you can’t call the test centre to change your driving test appointment. If you’d like to change your driving test date over the phone, use the details below to call the DVSA’s booking support number.
Telephone: 0300 200 1122
Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 4pm
You can change your driving test centre if you wish to, but you will lose your current driving test date if you do so. You can’t change your test centre and keep your original booking. If you would like to choose a new driving test centre, you will have to choose a new driving test date.
Yes, you can use our driving test cancellation service to find an early driving test. Our service checks the DVSA’s website multiple times a day to find cancelled driving tests. Once you have set up your preferences, you’ll begin to receive alerts of earlier test slots. When you find a suitable driving test appointment, you can change your test to it, by sending us a simple text message.
Yes, it’s possible to change your driving test appointment to a later date. If you can’t make your current test date, you can search for a new appointment and move your test to that date.
Yes, you can change your driving test for free, as long as you give the DVSA three clear working days notice before you change your booking. You can do this up to 10 times, free of charge, before you need to cancel your initial test, to change your test date again.
Yes, you can change your practical driving test from manual to automatic without losing your original test date. You don’t have to change your driving test booking to change the type of test you would like to take. Your driving examiner will note down which type of vehicle you use on your driving test, and the correct licence category will be highlighted on your driving test certificate if you pass.
To avoid losing your driving test fee, you need to give the DVSA at least three clear working days notice, when changing your driving test. The day you make the request and the day of your test do not count towards the notice period. If you don’t give the required amount of notice, you will need to pay for the cost of your next driving test.
You won’t be able to change your driving test date during the national lockdown, as the DVSA has cancelled all driving tests in line with government advice. If your driving test was cancelled, you will need to wait until at least April 12th 2021, to book a new driving test.
You can still change your driving test appointment if you’ve lost your reference number. You can log into the DVSA’s website with your theory test pass certificate number and if you don’t have that to hand, you can call the DVSA’s booking support number and ask for assistance. The number you need is 0300 200 1122.
Keep in mind the DVSA’s online booking service is only available between 6:00am and 11:40pm. You won’t be able to move your test date outside of those hours if you plan on logging into the DVSA’s website yourself. If you’d like us to reschedule your test for you, simply complete the form on this page and we’ll reschedule your driving test at the earliest opportunity.
How to Change Your Driving Test
To change your driving test, follow the steps below;
- Visit https://www.gov.uk/change-driving-test
- Click ‘Start Now’
- Enter your driving licence number
- Enter your driving test reference number
- Change the details of your test
If you don’t have your driving test reference number, you can enter the reference number on your theory test pass certificate instead. If you don’t have your theory test certificate to hand, you can use this service from the DVSA to find your reference number.
You may need to order a replacement letter to take with you on your driving test, just in case your driving examiner ask to see one.
Once you have logged in, you can change your driving test date, or select a new driving test centre if required.
Changes to the driving test
This video by DGN Driving School talks through some of the recent changes to the driving test introduced by the DVSA. You can also read our what happens on your driving test guide for additional information on these changes
Cancel Your Driving Test
You can cancel your driving test and get a full refund from the DVSA, as long as you give at least three clear working days notice. The notice period does not include the day you make the request or the day of your test.
How to Cancel Your Driving Test
You can cancel your driving test online or over the phone. Regardless of which method you use, you’ll need your driving licence number and either your driving test reference number or your theory test pass certificate number.
To cancel your driving test online, follow the steps below;
- Visit https://www.gov.uk/cancel-driving-test
- Click ‘Start Now’
- Enter your driving licence number
- Enter your driving test reference number
- Cancel your driving test
If you cancel your driving test appointment online and give the required amount of notice, you’ll receive a full refund for the cost of the driving test.
To cancel your driving test over the phone, you’ll need to call 0300 200 1122.
If you cancel your driving test over the phone and you don’t require a new driving test date, you have to request a refund in writing for the cost of the driving test.
Once you cancel your driving test, you’ll receive an automated email from the DVSA confirming the cancellation.
Can I cancel my driving test at short notice and still get a refund?
Yes, you can. The DVSA updated the policy on refunds for short notice candidate cancellations in 2014. As a result, there are now specific circumstances when you can cancel your driving test at short notice and still get a refund. These include
- A medical reason, accompanied by a doctors note
- A bereavement
- An exam
Number of Changed Driving Tests in 2020
| Date Driving Test Was Changed | Online | Telephone |
|---|---|---|
| 30 December 2019 to 5 January 2020 | 19,311 | 465 |
| 6 to 12 January 2020 | 23,227 | 914 |
| 13 to 19 January 2020 | 22,676 | 877 |
| 20 to 26 January 2020 | 22,881 | 867 |
| 27 January to 2 February 2020 | 22,472 | 836 |
| 3 to 9 February 2020 | 22,326 | 846 |
| 10 to 16 February 2020 | 22,675 | 754 |
| 17 to 23 February 2020 | 21,952 | 687 |
| 24 February to 1 March 2020 | 21,400 | 778 |
| 2 to 8 March 2020 | 21,715 | 849 |
| 9 to 15 March 2020 | 21,636 | 1,014 |
| 16 to 22 March 2020 22,455 -233 | 22,455 | 233 |
