{"id":1314,"date":"2026-06-16T11:12:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T10:12:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/?p=1314"},"modified":"2026-06-16T11:12:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T10:12:25","slug":"new-dvsa-driving-test-changes-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sterling-insurance.co.uk/blog\/learner\/new-dvsa-driving-test-changes-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"A guide to the new DVSA driving test changes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

While learning how to drive, you\u2019ll be making sure you\u2019re as prepared as possible for your upcoming driving test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of this will be keeping up with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency\u2019s (DVSA)<\/a> rules and regulations. Sometimes, these may be adjusted, which happened this year, with some key driving test changes coming into effect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, there\u2019s no need to worry, we\u2019re here to give you a rundown of these changes so you can feel up-to-date and prepared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When did the latest driving test changes come into effect?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s been a natural shift in the behaviours of learner drivers since the pandemic, so changes to the driving test<\/a> process were expected. The first lot of tweaks became official on the 12th and 31st of May, 2026, and then more came on June 9th. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Driving<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What are the new DVSA changes for driving tests?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are all the rule adjustments that were made official in May and June 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Booking your driving test<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before this year, your driving instructor, parents or guardian would have been able to book your driving test for you, but now, it\u2019ll be your responsibility. However, don\u2019t panic if your test was booked by someone else before May 12th, as that won\u2019t be affected.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This has been put in place to make the process of booking a driving test fairer, but for some learner drivers, could feel a little daunting. You can still have some support<\/a> while booking, to make sure you\u2019ve done it correctly, but you will need to use your email and phone number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll also need to chat to your instructor about whether you\u2019re ready to take your test, so they can give you the reference number you\u2019ll need to book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changing your booking slot <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You used to be able to change your test booking up to six times, but this has now been altered to only two. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A change to the booking includes amending the time, date (or both at the same time) or swapping your slot with someone else. You\u2019ll be able to make these changes through the Government\u2019s change test service<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the alteration is done by the DVSA, it doesn\u2019t count as one of your changes. If the DVSA does change your test, for whatever reason, this will then mean you\u2019ll be reset to having two changes available again \u2013 but you will only be able to make these by phone call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Already made changes to your booking before the 31st of March? Then you\u2019re in luck as your allowed changes have been reset. If you end up using your two changes but need another, you will have to cancel your test and book again. Just make sure you do so 10 working days in advance of the test to get a refund. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Updating your address or contact details or adjusting your driving instructor\u2019s reference number won\u2019t count as a change, so don\u2019t worry<\/a> if you need to do that at any point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Location<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re changing the location of your driving test after the 9th June, you will now be limited to where you pick from. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a few years of controversy, with some learner drivers booking their driving test miles away to beat the waiting lists, you\u2019ll now only be able to change your slot at the same centre or three of the closest centres to your last booking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who have made bookings before the 9th, you\u2019ll be limited to the three closest test centres to where you\u2019re currently booked, not the original location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Changing<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our tips for handling these changes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re wondering how to navigate these new rules, there are a few things you can do, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n