Changing Your Test Date

Sometimes you may have to change your driving test date, whether that’s to bring it forward, delay it or change your test centre. The DVLA makes this process simple for both the practical and theory test. Read on for a guide to both processes.

Changing your theory test appointment

You can change your theory test appointment via an online form that will enable you to:

Find an earlier driving theory test.

Move your test to a later date.

Change your test centre to another location.

To do this, you’ll need your UK driving licence number. You will also have to give 3 clear working days’ notice to change your test, otherwise, you will have to pay your theory test fee again. Please note that Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays do not count as working days.

Changing your practical test appointment

This process is similar to changing your theory test date. It is an online process that allows you to change, cancel and re-book your appointment. The online service is available from 6am to 11.40pm every day. 

If you cancel your test, you will receive a full refund as long as you give 3 clear working days’ notice.

When changing your appointment time, you have a maximum limit of 10 changes – if you exceed this, then you will have to cancel and rebook your driving test. 

You can change your practical test date to an earlier test (by finding ‘cancellation appointments’ in the system. You can also move it to a later date and change the test centre where you take your practical driving test. 

To do this, you will need your UK driving licence number and either your driving test reference number or theory test pass certificate number (from the letter you got when you passed your theory test). Remember to give yourself 3 working days (not Sundays or bank holidays) to do this, otherwise, you will have to pay your practical test fee again.

Booking your tests

Booking your theory and practical tests for the first time follows a different process. Please see our dedicated guide to booking your driving test for more details.