Short Answer
Swapping your driving test with another learner
You may be able to swap your car driving test with another learner if you both already have a confirmed test booking and want each other’s exact test date, time and test centre.
A driving test swap must be arranged by phone with the DVSA. Both learners call the DVSA separately, on the same day: the first call requests the swap and the second call, made by 4pm at the latest, completes it. Each learner must pass the DVSA’s security checks and agree to a legal declaration on their own call.
You must both have at least one of your 2 permitted booking changes remaining and request the swap at least 10 full working days before the earlier test.
Sources:
GOV.UK – Swapping your driving test with another learner driver
What is a driving test swap?
A driving test swap is a direct exchange of two existing car driving test bookings.
You take the other learner’s booked date, time and test centre, and they take yours.
For example, you might have a test booked in October but want an earlier appointment in August. Another learner might have an August test but need more time to prepare and prefer your October appointment.
If you both meet the DVSA’s rules, you may be able to exchange the two bookings.
Swapping is different from changing your test to a cancellation. When you change to a cancellation, you select a newly available appointment. When you swap, you exchange an appointment directly with another learner.
A driving test swap counts as one of the 2 changes you are permitted to make to your booking.
Who can swap a driving test?
You can only swap your own car driving test with another learner driver.
Both learners must:
- already have an active car driving test booking
- want each other’s exact test date, time and test centre
- have at least one permitted booking change remaining
- meet the DVSA’s test centre and booking-type rules
- agree to the exchange
- complete the DVSA’s security checks
You are not allowed to change, cancel or swap a driving test on behalf of somebody else.
A driving instructor, family member or third-party service cannot complete the DVSA’s identity and consent checks for you.
What are the rules for swapping driving tests?
Both bookings must meet the DVSA’s eligibility rules before a swap can take place.
You must both have a booking change available
The DVSA allows you to make up to 2 changes to an existing car driving test booking.
A driving test swap counts as one change for each learner. You must therefore both have at least one change remaining.
If either learner has already used both permitted changes, the swap cannot go ahead.
You must give at least 10 full working days’ notice
You must ask the DVSA to complete the exchange at least 10 full working days before the earlier of the two test appointments.
Monday to Saturday count as working days. Sundays and public holidays do not count.
For example, if one test is booked for 20th August and the other is booked for 10th September, the deadline is calculated from the test on 20th August.
The test centres must meet the location rules
You can only swap with a learner whose test is booked at:
- the same test centre as yours
- one of the 3 nearest test centres to you
- the test centre where you originally made your booking
The location rule must be satisfied for both learners.
This means the other learner’s test centre must be permitted for you, and your test centre must also be permitted for them.
The bookings must be the same type
You can only exchange compatible test bookings.
- Weekday tests costing £62 can only be swapped with other weekday tests.
- Evening, weekend and bank holiday tests costing £75 can only be swapped with the same type.
- Tests with additional time can only be exchanged with tests that include the same arrangement.
- Weekday extended tests costing £124 can only be exchanged with the same type.
- Evening, weekend and bank holiday extended tests costing £150 can only be exchanged with the same type.
You cannot, for example, swap a standard weekday test for a standard weekend test.
Check with your driving instructor before swapping
Speak to your driving instructor before agreeing to a different test appointment.
You should both check that your instructors:
- believe you will be ready by the proposed test date
- are available at the new date and time
- can attend the proposed test centre
- can provide a suitable car for the test
Changing your DVSA appointment will not automatically change any arrangements you have made separately with your driving instructor.
Only agree to a swap if you are confident that you can attend and will be ready to take the test.
How do you find someone to swap driving tests with?
You need to find another learner who wants your existing appointment and holds a test that you would prefer.
The other learner must also meet all of the DVSA’s eligibility rules.
You may be able to find someone through:
Do not give another learner your driving licence number, home address, telephone number, email address, card details or account login information.
The official swap must always be completed directly with the DVSA.
Need to find a learner to swap test dates with?
While we cannot guarantee a suitable match, our free service can help connect you with other learners whose test bookings and preferences may be compatible with yours. Any proposed swap must also meet the DVSA’s rules.
Join the waiting list as early as possible to improve your place in the queue and access the service sooner.
Join the driving test swap waiting list
How do you swap your driving test?
You can only swap a driving test by phone. You cannot do it online, by email or by webchat.
Both learners call the DVSA separately, and both calls must be made on the same day.
Decide between you who will call first. The first learner calls the DVSA to request the swap: they pass the security checks, agree to a legal declaration and give the details of both tests, including the other learner’s booking reference. The DVSA records the swap request.
The second learner then calls the DVSA on the same day - by 4pm at the latest, to leave enough time to complete the swap. They go through the same security checks and declaration and give the details of both tests, and the DVSA completes the swap on this second call.
If the second learner has not called by the end of the day, the swap request expires and the process must be started again from the first call. The DVSA will not tell the first learner that the request has expired, so agree clearly between you when you will each call.
If either learner changes their test date, time or test centre after the first call, the swap request becomes invalid and the process must restart.
What do you need before calling the DVSA?
Each learner should have their own booking and identity information ready.
You may need:
- your driving licence number
- your driving test booking reference number
- details of the payment card used to book the test
- the date, time and test centre of your current appointment
- the date, time and test centre you have agreed to swap to
- details of any driving tests you have previously taken
Both learners also need the other learner’s driving test booking reference number - you each give the DVSA the details of both tests on your own call.
You will not need the other learner’s name, address or contact information.
The DVSA will never ask for your payment card’s full number or security code when arranging a swap.
Check your contact details before calling
Make sure the email address recorded against your booking is correct.
The DVSA emails each learner a confirmation of their new booking details once the swap is completed, so an out-of-date email address means you may miss it.
Updating the contact information on your booking does not use one of your 2 permitted changes, and it does not affect a swap request that is already in progress.
You can check your booking details through the GOV.UK service:
Check your driving test appointment details
Why might the driving test swap fail?
The DVSA will not complete the exchange if either learner:
- does not meet the eligibility rules
- has already used both permitted booking changes
- fails the security checks
- does not agree to the required declaration
- decides not to proceed with the swap
The swap may also fail if:
- the appointments are not compatible
- the test centres do not satisfy the location rules
- less than 10 full working days’ notice is available
- the second learner does not call the DVSA before the swap request expires at the end of the day
- either test is changed after the first learner’s call
- the details given during the two calls do not match
If the DVSA cannot complete the swap, both original appointments will remain unchanged.
Do not cancel your existing appointment in anticipation of the exchange being approved.
What happens after you swap driving tests?
Once the swap has been completed:
- you receive the other learner’s original date, time and test centre
- the other learner receives your original appointment
- you keep your existing booking reference
- your payment information remains attached to your booking
- any special requirements remain attached to your booking
The DVSA emails each learner a confirmation of their new booking details after the swap is completed.
It is still sensible to write down your new appointment details during your call, and to wait for the confirmation before making any new arrangements around your test.
How can you swap driving tests safely?
Only complete the actual exchange through the DVSA’s official telephone process.
When communicating with another learner:
- do not share your driving licence number
- do not share your home address
- do not share your telephone number or email address unnecessarily
- do not share payment card details
- do not share passwords or account login information
- do not give anyone access to your online driving test booking
- do not allow another person to impersonate you
The booking reference is the only piece of the other learner’s information that either of you needs - you exchange booking references and nothing else. Never give the other learner your theory test pass certificate number either.
Driving test swap checklist
Before contacting the DVSA, check that:
- you both have active car driving test bookings
- you both want each other’s exact appointments
- you both have at least one permitted change remaining
- the swap is being requested at least 10 full working days in advance
- both test centres meet the DVSA’s location rules
- both bookings are in the same test and price category
- both driving instructors are available
- suitable test vehicles are available
- both learners’ contact details are correct
- both learners can call the DVSA on the same day, with the second call made by 4pm
Frequently asked questions about swapping driving tests
Can you swap driving test dates with someone?
Yes. Two learner drivers may be able to exchange their existing car driving test bookings if they both meet the DVSA’s eligibility requirements.
Can I swap my driving test online?
No. Learner-to-learner driving test swaps can only be completed by phone through the DVSA.
Do both learners need to speak to the DVSA?
Yes. You each call the DVSA separately, on the same day: the first call requests the swap and the second call - made by 4pm at the latest - completes it.
Both learners must pass the security checks and agree to a legal declaration on their own call. If the second call is not made by the end of the day, the request expires and the process starts again.
Can my driving instructor arrange the swap?
No. Your instructor can help you decide whether the new appointment is suitable, but you must personally complete the DVSA’s security and consent process.
Can I swap a weekday test for a weekend test?
No. Swaps must be like for like. A weekday test can only be exchanged for another weekday test, while an evening, weekend or bank holiday test must be exchanged for the same type.
Does swapping use one of my driving test changes?
Yes. A successful swap counts as one of the 2 changes permitted for each learner’s booking.
How much notice do I need to give?
You must request the exchange at least 10 full working days before the earlier of the two appointments.
Will my booking reference change?
No. You keep your existing booking reference. The date, time and test centre attached to it are changed.
Do I need to share my personal details with the other learner?
No. You should not share your driving licence number, address, telephone number, email address or payment information.
You each only need the other learner’s booking reference number for your own DVSA call - nothing else.
What happens if the swap is unsuccessful?
If the DVSA cannot complete the exchange, both learners keep their original appointments.
Need help finding someone to swap driving tests with?
Finding a compatible learner can be the most difficult part of swapping your driving test.
You need to find someone who wants the exact appointment you already hold and has a test date, time and centre that you would prefer.
Our driving test swap service matches learners whose existing bookings and preferred appointments are compatible.
The process is simple:
- Tell us about the driving test appointment you currently hold.
- Tell us which dates and test centres would work for you.
- We look for a learner who wants your appointment and holds one you want.
- We check that the proposed match meets the DVSA’s swap rules.
- You and the other learner complete the exchange directly with the DVSA.
We do not contact the DVSA or make changes to your booking on your behalf.
We only help you find a compatible learner. The DVSA makes the actual change after speaking to both of you.
Join our driving test swap waiting list
Places for the Driving Test Cancellations 4 All swap service are released in waiting-list order.
By joining the waiting list, you can:
- register the driving test you currently hold
- tell us what dates and test centres you would accept
- hold your place while you wait for access
- be invited to start looking for a compatible learner when you reach the top
Joining the waiting list is free, and no payment details are required.
We cannot guarantee that a suitable match will be available. This depends on the tests held by other learners, their preferences and whether the proposed exchange meets the DVSA’s rules.
The sooner you join, the sooner you can reach the top of the waiting list.
Join the driving test swap waiting list