Change your driving test appointment

Use this service to:

  • find an earlier driving test (sometimes called a ‘cancellation appointment’)
  • move your driving test to a later date
  • change which test centre you take your test at

You can change your test up to the time your test starts. You must give notice to change or cancel a test, or you’ll have to pay again.

When you’ll have to pay again

You’ll have to pay again if you give less than:

  • 10 full working days’ notice for car driving tests
  • 3 full working days’ notice for all other tests

Monday to Saturday count as working days but Sundays and public holidays do not.

If you cannot change your driving test appointment, cancel your test.

What you need

To change your test you need your:

  • UK driving licence number
  • driving test reference number or theory test pass certificate number (from the letter you got when you passed your theory test)

If you’ve lost your letter, you can find your theory test pass certificate number.

Change your appointment online

This service is available from 6am to 11:40pm. You can find and book appointments up to 24 weeks in advance.

Find out what to do if you’re having problems accessing the online service.

Start now

Before you start

To change your test for free, you must give at least:

  • 10 full working days’ notice for car driving tests
  • 3 full working days’ notice for all other tests

Monday to Saturday count as working days but Sundays and public holidays do not.

If you change your test at short notice

If you change your test at short notice, you can get a refund after you’ve changed your test if you have:

  • an illness or injury that means you cannot take your test  
  • suffered a bereavement  
  • to take an exam at a school or college  
  • had your driving licence stolen

Email the Driver and Vehicles Standard Agency (DVSA) with the subject title ‘Unavoidable short notice cancellation’. 

Attach proof of the reason you’ve had to change your appointment. This can be:

  • a letter from your school or college confirming you have an exam at the same time as your appointment  
  • a crime number and contact name of the police officer if you’ve had your driving licence stolen
  • a fit note or medical certificate from a healthcare professional such as your GP

If you were sick for 7 days or fewer, you might have to pay for a private medical certificate.

As well as attaching the proof, you’ll need to include at least 2 of these in your email:

  • driving licence number
  • theory test pass certificate number
  • driving test booking reference

DVSA customer services
customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk

DVSA will tell you when you’ve been refunded the fee and can help you find a new test appointment.

How many times you can change your appointment

You can change your appointment up to 6 times. If you need to make more changes after that, you have to cancel your test and rebook it.

  1. Cancel your test. You’ll get a full refund if you give at least 10 full working days’ notice for car driving tests. For all other tests, you’ll need to give at least 3 full working days’ notice. Monday to Saturday count as working days but Sundays and public holidays do not.

  2. Book a new test. You’ll have to pay for the test when you book.

There’s a different service to change your driving test in Northern Ireland.

Get help changing your driving test appointment

You must change your driving test appointment online. You can contact DVSA to get help by phone or email.

You’ll need to give DVSA at least 2 of the following:

  • driving licence number
  • theory test pass certificate number
  • driving test booking reference

DVSA driving test booking support
customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 200 1122
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Find out about call charges

Part of Learn to drive a car: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check you're allowed to drive

    Most people can start learning to drive when they’re 17.

    1. Check what age you can drive
    2. Requirements for driving legally
    3. Driving eyesight rules

  2. Step 2 Get a provisional licence

    1. Apply for your first provisional driving licence £34 to £43

  3. Step 3 Driving lessons and practice

    You need a provisional driving licence to take lessons or practise.

    1. The Highway Code
    2. Taking driving lessons
    3. Find driving schools, lessons and instructors
    4. Practise vehicle safety questions

  4. and Prepare for your theory test

    1. Theory test revision and practice
    2. Take a practice theory test
    3. Theory and hazard perception test app

  5. Step 4 Book and manage your theory test

    You need a provisional driving licence to book your theory test.

    1. Book your theory test £23
    2. What to take to your test
    3. Change your theory test appointment
    4. Check your theory test appointment details
    5. Cancel your theory test

  6. Step 5 Book and manage your driving test

    You must pass your theory test before you can book your driving test.

    1. Book your driving test £62 to £75
    2. What to take to your test
    3. You are currently viewing: Change your driving test appointment
    4. Check your driving test appointment details
    5. Cancel your driving test

  7. Step 6 When you pass

    You can start driving as soon as you pass your driving test.

    You must have an insurance policy that allows you to drive without supervision.

    1. Find out about Pass Plus training courses