Big changes to booking driving tests begin on 1 April.
From From 31 March 2026, learner drivers in England, Scotland, and Wales can only make two changes to their driving test booking.
If you’re a learner driver, a major change is coming to the way you book your driving test.
From 31 March, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is introducing stricter rules on how many times you can change your driving test appointment.
These changes aim to make the booking system fairer, prevent exploitation, and ensure learners are prepared and serious about their test dates.
Driving test identity fraud has reached record levels, with 1,084 recorded theory test impersonations and 647 practical test impersonations in 2024/25. These go far beyond simple hacks and can carry prison sentences.
In response to a rise in cheating allegations, the DVSA has ramped up its crackdown on test fraud, employing empty pocket protocols and handheld metal detectors to catch digital cheats before they even enter the room for a theory or practical test.
Getting caught carries consequences far more severe than a simple fail mark. Candidates face immediate prosecution and prison sentences for fraud, alongside the risk of a lifetime driving ban. Even those who manage to cheat successfully but are caught later will see their previous passes instantly revoked.
Beyond the road, a conviction for test fraud creates a permanent criminal record, potentially barring individuals from certain careers or blocking future travel to countries like the USA.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new rules, how they affect you, and tips to pass your theory and practical tests.
Making changes to your driving test
From 31 March 2026:
- You’ll only be able to make two changes to your existing car driving test booking.
- If you’ve already used all changes under the current rules, you will be able to make two more changes from this date.
- Later in Spring 2026, you’ll only be able to move your test to centres near where you originally booked.
