DVSA Guidance
New Driving Test Booking Rules 2026
The rules for booking and managing your car driving test have changed. Here's what every learner driver in North Wales needs to know.
Source: DVSA guidance — last updated 9 June 2026
At a Glance
What Has Changed?
| Rule | Old Rule | New Rule | In Effect From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of changes allowed | Up to 6 changes | Only 2 changes | 31 March 2026 |
| Who can book your test | You or your driving instructor | Only you | 12 May 2026 |
| Who can manage your test | You or your driving instructor | Only you | 12 May 2026 |
| Using unofficial booking services | Allowed | Not allowed | 12 May 2026 |
| Where you can move your test | Any test centre | Only the 3 nearest test centres | 9 June 2026 |
These rules apply to car driving tests only. Motorcycle and other test types are not affected.
Booking
Booking Your Car Driving Test
You must now book your car driving test yourself on GOV.UK. Your driving instructor is no longer allowed to book it for you — and it is against the law for anyone else to book a test on your behalf.
Talk to Dafydd first
Before booking, speak to your instructor to agree you're ready and ask for their driving instructor reference number.
Choose carefully
Only book at a test centre you intend to use. Pick a date you realistically expect to be ready by — you only get 2 changes.
Add instructor's reference
Enter your instructor's reference number when booking so the system can check their availability automatically.
Changes to Your Booking
Only 2 Changes Allowed
Since 31 March 2026 you can only make 2 changes to your driving test booking. Use them wisely — only change when your circumstances genuinely require it.
If you need to make more than 2 changes, you will have to cancel your booking and start again. You'll get a full refund only if you cancel at least 10 full working days before the test date.
What counts as a change
- Changing the date or time
- Changing the test centre
- Swapping your appointment with another learner
Note: Changing the date and test centre at the same time counts as just one change, not two.
What does NOT count as a change
- ✓Updating your address or contact details
- ✓Adding or removing your instructor's reference number
- ✓Changes made by DVSA (e.g. due to bad weather) — you'll be reset to 2 changes again
Unofficial booking services
You are no longer allowed to use test cancellation finder websites or apps that scan the booking service for earlier slots. DVSA monitors the system and can cancel your booking or suspend your online access if you do.
Test Centre Changes
Where You Can Move Your Test
Since 9 June 2026, when you use a change, you can only move your test to one of the 3 nearest test centres to where your test is currently booked — or back to the test centre you originally booked at.
What this means for Bangor Test Centre learners
If your test is booked at Bangor, you can only move it to the 3 nearest test centres to Bangor. You cannot move it to a distant centre like Chester or Wrexham.
For most DMJ Driver Training pupils, this is good news — staying local means continuing to practise on the same roads you'll be tested on.
Key Takeaways
What This Means for You as a Learner
You book — not your instructor
Only you can book, change or cancel your test from 12 May 2026. Dafydd will guide you, but you do the booking.
Think before you change
You only get 2 changes. Don't use them unless your situation genuinely changes — book a realistic date from the start.
Avoid cancellation finder apps
Do not use websites or apps that search for earlier test slots. This is now against the rules and DVSA can cancel your test.
Stay near your test centre
If you do need to move your test, you can only move it to one of the 3 nearest centres to where it's currently booked.
Cancel early for a refund
If plans change, cancel at least 10 full working days before your test to get a full refund.
Helping someone else book
You can still help a family member book — but they must be with you while you do it, and you must use their contact details.
Ready to start your lessons?
Dafydd will tell you when you're ready to book and give you the reference number you need. All the hard work is in the lessons.
Information on this page is based on official DVSA guidance. For full details visit gov.uk.