News and Announcements
Important information for learners and drivers.
30 September 2026
DVSA Update: Driving Test Swaps Process Simplified
Good news for pupils looking to swap test dates! From 1 October 2026, the DVSA is making the telephone swap process much smoother and less stressful.
What is changing?
- No More Joint Phone Calls: You and your swap partner no longer need to coordinate your schedules to be available on the exact same phone call.
- The “Same Working Day” Rule: The first learner calls the DVSA to initiate the swap request. The second learner simply needs to call the DVSA back on the same working day to confirm they agree.
- DVSA Requirement: The swap will only be processed if both calls are completed within that same working day window.
Important Rules to Remember:
- Talk to me first: Before agreeing to any swap, check with me to make sure I’m available on the new date/time and that you are fully test-ready!
- It counts as a change: Swapping still counts as 1 of your 2 permitted changes on your booking.
- Local rules apply: The swap must still be within the same test centre or one of the 3 nearest test centres to your original booking.
This change removes a huge bottleneck and makes exchanging dates much easier. If you find a swap partner among fellow pupils, let me know so we can get it coordinated!
26 May 2026
DVSA Update: Enforcing the New Booking Rules
Following the major changes introduced on 12 May 2026 (where only learners can book their own tests), the DVSA has moved incredibly quickly to clamp down on black-market booking apps, bots, and automated systems.
1,178 Driving Licences Suspended
Access to online bookings has been blocked for over a thousand learners flagged for “unusual activity” (using third-party apps).
App Stores Targeted
Unofficial booking apps are being reported directly to Apple and Google to be removed completely.
Social Media & Business Bans
Group accounts selling slots and business portals abusing the system have been permanently suspended.
What you need to do to protect your test
The DVSA is heavily monitoring the system. To ensure your driving licence isn’t suspended and your test isn’t cancelled, please follow these rules strictly:
- Only use GOV.UK: Never use a third-party website, app, or social media group to find a test slot.
- Only pay official fees: A standard weekday test is £62 (£75 for evenings/weekends). Never pay more than this.
- Talk to me: If you want an earlier test slot, the only legal way to do it is by checking GOV.UK manually or by arranging a direct phone swap with the DVSA if we can match you up with another one of my test-ready pupils who wants to trade dates.
Don’t risk losing your booking fee or having your licence flagged. Stay safe, book directly, and keep me updated with your dates!
18 MARCH 2026
DVSA Update: Changes to How You Book Your Driving Test
The DVSA has just confirmed a series of major “fairness” changes coming this Spring. These rules change how we manage your test bookings, so please read carefully:
You must book your own test
From the 12th May 2026 I will no longer be able to book, change, swap, or cancel car driving tests for you via my business portal. The DVSA is requiring all learners to book their own tests directly to stop unofficial booking services.
Local moves only
From the 9th June 2026, if you need to move your test location, you will only be allowed to move it to one of the 3 nearest test centres to your original booking. You can no longer book a test far away and try to “move it back” to our local area.
Reminder: The “2-Strike” Rule
Don’t forget that from the end of this month, you can only change your test date twice. A third change will result in a cancellation
You can read about that here.
What this means for our lessons
Since I can no longer manage the “admin” side of your test, it is more important than ever that we stay in sync. Please do not book a test date until we have agreed you are ready.
Use my ADI Number
When booking, please enter my instructor reference number. This will automatically show you my availability to avoid any scheduling conflicts!
04 February 2026
New DVSA Test Rules: What You Need to Know
From the 31st March 2026, the DVSA is introducing strict new rules to make the booking system fairer. Here is what you need to know:
These changes are designed to reduce wait times and stop “bots” from taking all the slots. Let’s work together to make sure you get the right date first time.
Limit of two changes
You can now only move or change your test date twice. After that, you must cancel and rebook.
Check With Me First: To ensure you don’t waste your changes, please do not book or move a test until we have agreed you are “test-ready.”
Use my ADI Number
When booking, please enter my instructor reference number. This will automatically show you my availability so we don’t have any scheduling conflicts!
