Manage your availability to take your pupils to driving tests
As a car driving instructor, you can set times you are available to take your pupils to car driving tests to stop your pupils from booking tests at other times.
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
New booking rules from spring 2026
The rules for car driving test bookings are changing from spring 2026.
Learners will book their own car driving tests. You will not be able to book car tests for your pupils. Set your availability now to be ready for this change.
Set times when you are available
You can set times when you are available to take your pupils to their driving test.
If they use your approved driving instructor (ADI) personal reference number when booking, they will not see appointments at times you are unavailable.
You can set:
- morning and afternoon hours you are available each day of the week
- one-off times you are unavailable, for example, when you are on holiday
- how many minutes you need between one test ending and the next one starting
You cannot currently limit which test centres you are willing to take pupils to.
If you work for a driving school
Anyone with access to your driving school’s business account can see and change availability settings for all linked ADIs.
When your pupil books their test
When a pupil books a test using your ADI personal reference number, you will be set as unavailable for both:
- the time of the test
- the number of minutes you said you need after the test ends
The booking service does not show your name when your pupil enters your reference number. Your pupil should check with you that they have the correct number before booking.
You cannot currently see tests your pupils have booked using your reference number. Ask your pupils to tell you when they have booked a test.
If pupils do not use your ADI personal reference number
If your pupil does not use your ADI personal reference number when booking, they will see advice that using it helps avoid double bookings. However, they can still book any available appointment.
Changing your availability
Your pupil’s existing booking will not be affected if you later mark that time as unavailable. For example, you might need to do this for an urgent appointment.
Contact your pupil to discuss changing or cancelling their test if you cannot take them.
Register
You need to register to manage your availability. You will need your ADI personal reference number.
Do not register if you already use the service to book and manage driving tests for your pupils. Use your sign in details from that service.
Manage your availability
You need your Government Gateway user ID and password.
This service is available from 6am to midnight.
Help with your availability
Contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to get help managing your driving test availability.
DVSA driving test booking support
customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 200 1122 (press the 2-digit fast track code)
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges