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.
- Exactly the same type of test as the learner you're swapping with: weekday (£62) with weekday, evening/weekend/bank holiday (£75) with the same, and extra-time or extended tests only with the same kind.
- At least 1 of your 2 allowed changes left (a swap counts as one), and the same for them.
- Your instructor's confirmation that you'll be ready and they're available on the new date.
- A centre that satisfies DVSA's location rule for both of you: the same centre, one of your three nearest, or the centre you first booked at.
- 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.
- Both of you call DVSA, separately, on the same day. Phone 0300 200 1122 and choose option 2 (Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm). Swaps can't be requested online, by email, webchat or text. Request it at least 10 full working days before the earlier of the two tests (Monday to Saturday count as working days; Sundays and public holidays don't).
- DVSA matches the two requests. Learner 1 calls first and DVSA records the request (and won't say whether it worked). Learner 2 then calls the same day and DVSA completes the swap.
- DVSA moves both bookings. There's no separate confirmation email — your next DVSA reminder will show the new details.
On the day
- Learner 1 calls DVSA first. Learner 2 calls the same day, and should ring by 4pm — later and there may not be time to finish.
- The request expires at the end of the day, and DVSA won't tell learner 1 whether it worked. If either test changes after learner 1's call, the request is void. Learner 1 can call again to withdraw consent.
- Have ready: your own licence number and booking reference, the other learner's booking reference, the card you booked with (not needed if your instructor booked before 12 May 2026), the date, time and centre of both tests, and details of any previous tests. DVSA never asks for your full card number or security code.
- Swap booking references with each other, but never give them your licence number, theory certificate number, address, phone, email or card 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 own licence number for your call to DVSA, but never give it to the other learner. You only exchange booking references.
How much notice does DVSA need for a swap?
DVSA needs the request at least 10 full working days before the earlier of the two tests (Monday to Saturday count; Sundays and public holidays don't), so agree your swap with plenty of time to spare. A swap counts as one of your 2 allowed changes (both learners need at least 1 left), so check how many you have used (gov.uk/change-driving-test).
Can I swap a car test for a motorcycle test?
No. The test type has to match exactly: weekday with weekday, evening/weekend/bank holiday with the same, and extra-time or extended tests only with the same kind.
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.