DVSA issues update to learner drivers over spring 2026 ‘changes’

Officials have shared an update on the GOV.UK website as well as social media

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has released updated guidance for learner drivers. According to the GOV.UK update, published on February 3, 2026, these changes apply to people living in England, Scotland and Wales.

Their latest update reads: “From March 31 2026, you will only be allowed to make 2 changes to your car driving test appointment after you’ve booked it.”

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the agency explained: “This change is part of the outcome of our consultation to improve the way driving tests are booked and help stop learners being exploited.”

So what do these changes really mean? Urging people to “only use your limited changes for genuine needs or emergencies”, it has now officially set a date for one of the upcoming changes.

As mentioned, from March 31, learners will only be able to make 2 changes to their existing booking. If people have already used all changes under the current rules, you will be able to make 2 more changes from March 31 2026, it has been confirmed.

“From later in spring 2026, you will only be able to move your test to centres near to where you originally booked”, the DVSA added.

What counts as a change?

These things each count as a change:

• changing the date or time
• changing the test centre
• swapping your appointment with another learner driver who already has a test booked

If you need to make more changes after using your 2 changes, you will have to cancel your test and book a new one. DVSA confirm: “You will get a full refund if you do it at least 10 full working days’ before the test date.”

Are there other driving test changes?

Yes. While there is now a date set for the number of changes allowed, other changes are yet to be confirmed. DVSA say these “exact dates will be confirmed nearer the time.”

So what are the current rules versus the new ones?

1. Currently, you or your driving instructor can book a test. From later in spring 2026, only you will be able to do this
2. You or your driving instructor can manage your test, but from later in spring 2026, only you can
3. Drivers are only allowed up to 2 changes as of March 31. Currently, you can have up to 6 changes
4. At present, you can move your test to any test centre, but from later in spring, you can only move to test centres near where you originally booked
5. Finally, from later in spring, changing the date, time, or test centre, or swapping with another learner, is counted as a change. In comparison, changing the date, time, or test centre counts as a change as of today.

Are you sitting a driving test soon? Let us know what you think about the changes in the comments.