Following the changes announced in January 2026 on limiting the number of times a learner driver can change or swap their test (from 31 March 2026), we’re now able to confirm the dates for the rest of the planned rule changes.  

• from 12 May 2026, only learners are allowed to book a test and make changes to their own booking  

• from 9 June 2026, learners can move their booked test only to nearby centres  

We know this is a significant change for driving instructors. 

Misuse of the booking system has made it harder for us to offer slots fairly. The consultation response to this change was split, with some of you feeling strongly that learners should have full control. Others felt just as strongly that instructors need flexibility to manage bookings effectively.  

We've made a decision based on the evidence – our consultation found that the majority of learners wanted full control and we have acted to prioritise fairness for learners and tackle exploitation. But we recognise that reasonable professionals disagree on this and we respect that.  

Introducing these changes means learners should only ever pay the actual fee DVSA charges. 

From 12 May 2026, no-one other than learner drivers will be able to book or manage a car driving test.  

This includes unofficial booking services and cancellation finder services. These services will no longer be able to operate lawfully and your pupils should not use them.  

This will be through a declaration box on the public online booking service on GOV.UK. Any bookings made through the DVSA customer service centre will need to agree to the terms verbally before making a booking. 

The OBS you currently use to book and manage car practical driving tests for your pupils will have restricted functionality from this date. This means you will no longer be allowed to: 

• book tests 

• change tests 

• swap tests between pupils 

• cancel tests 

An updated set of terms and conditions for OBS will be published ahead of the changes being introduced. 

If you use a pre-funded account to pay for driving tests, you will need to wait until all current booked tests have completed. You can then complete a form on GOV.UK to request the account is closed and any money left is refunded. 

When using OBS to book a car driving test, you will still be able to: 

• set your availability so learners can avoid booking tests when you are unavailable, or have tests with other learners 

• book other types of tests, such as bike, lorry, and ADI tests  

• view business financial statements  

• view car bookings you made before 12 May 

• send requests to DVSA 

• manage payment methods 

Any business that uses the service for other test types will be able to continue using the service to book and manage tests in the same way they always have. However, they will have to sign the terms and conditions again. 

Alongside this from 12 May 2026, your pupils must confirm when they book their test, that they: 

• are booking only their own car test 

• agree to a new set of terms and conditions 

This will be through a declaration box on the public online booking service on GOV.UK.  

Your pupils will not be able to book their test if they don’t agree to these things. 

We previously announced we would be reducing from 6 to 2 the number of times a learner driver can change a test. This change will come into force from 31 March 2026.  

You can read more detailed guidance about what’s changing. It includes examples to help you understand the new rules and lists of where learners will be able to move tests. 

Find out about the changes to driving test booking rules.