How to swap your driving test date
Two learners, two dates, one phone call to DVSA. Here's exactly how a test swap works, what you need ready, and where TestNow fits in.
What a swap actually is
A driving test swap is DVSA exchanging two already-booked practical test appointments between two learners — you take their date and centre, they take yours. DVSA carries out the exchange itself over the phone; nothing changes hands online, by email or by text.
What you need before you're ready to swap
- A live DVSA practical test booking of your own (a swap exchanges two existing bookings — it can't create a new one).
- Your booking reference number.
- The same type of test as the learner you're swapping with (car for car, motorcycle for motorcycle, and so on).
- A centre that satisfies DVSA's location rule for the swap.
- A learner who wants your date and centre, and has one you want.
Step by step
- Find a match. This is the hard part done alone — you need someone with a test they don't want who'd happily take yours. List your test on TestNow and we match you automatically with learners who fit, or browse the live board and request a swap directly.
- Agree the exact details. Confirm the precise date, time and centre each of you is taking on, in a chat where neither of you sees the other's real name or phone number.
- One of you calls DVSA. Phone 0300 200 1122 and choose option 2 (Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm). Swaps can't be requested online, by email, webchat or text — it has to be this call, and DVSA generally asks for at least 10 full working days' notice before the earlier of the two tests.
- DVSA verifies you both. The DVSA agent runs security checks with the caller, then puts them on hold and rings the other learner on the number held against their booking to confirm they agree too.
- DVSA moves both bookings. Once you've both confirmed, DVSA updates both appointments during that same call. There's no separate confirmation email — your next DVSA reminder will show the new details.
What TestNow does — and doesn't do
We do: match you anonymously with another learner who wants what you have, strip out phone numbers and contact details from chat messages automatically, and it's completely free.
We don't: log in to your DVSA account, hold your licence details, make the phone call for you, charge you anything, or guarantee a match — you still need to find someone whose date and centre work for you both.
If you can't find a match right away
Match speed depends on how many other learners near your centre also want to swap. Being flexible about which of your three nearest centres you'd accept — see changing your test centre — widens your options considerably. You can also check DVSA's own cancellation list on gov.uk in parallel; see our guide to getting an earlier test for every legitimate route.
Questions
Do I need my licence number to swap?
You'll need your booking reference and DVSA will verify your identity on the call, in line with their standard security checks — have your licence details to hand in case they're asked for.
How much notice does DVSA need for a swap?
DVSA generally asks for the request to reach them at least 10 full working days before the earlier of the two tests, so agree your swap with plenty of time to spare.
Can I swap a car test for a motorcycle test?
No. Both bookings need to be for the same type of test.
Does TestNow charge for a swap?
No. Listing your test, matching and chatting with another learner is completely free. The swap itself is a normal DVSA phone call — DVSA doesn't charge for it either.