Aligned with the official DVSA swap process

How to swap a driving test with another learner

Create your listing, review a proposed match, agree together, then complete the official DVSA swap by phone. The DTC handles the matching and notifications — you never contact another learner directly.

Find a swap Back to The DTC Test Swap home

Step by step

The swap process

Seven straightforward steps from adding your test to completing the official DVSA swap. You control every decision; The DTC never changes your DVSA booking for you.

Create your listing

Enter your current test centre, date, time, test type and what you would consider swapping to. The DTC only needs the minimum details to find a compatible match. We do not collect your driving licence number, theory certificate number, home address, card details or GOV.UK login.

The DTC finds compatible matches

Our system checks DVSA rules before proposing a match: same test type, compatible centre rules, and at least 10 full working days notice. Matches are scored by compatibility.

Review the proposed match

When a compatible learner is found, The DTC sends you an SMS alert and a backup email. You review the proposed match in your private match room and choose to accept or decline within 2 business days.

Both learners accept

When both learners accept, agree who will call DVSA first and which day you will both call separately. Check your instructors agree you are ready and are available for the new slots. Accepting a match does not change either booking.

Share booking references securely

Both learners consent before their encrypted booking references are revealed to each other through The DTC. Keep all other personal details private. Each learner gives the required booking information directly to DVSA during their own call.

Make two separate DVSA calls

Both learners must call DVSA separately on the same day. Call 0300 200 1122, choose option 2, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm. Learner 1 requests the swap; learner 2 then calls to complete it. DVSA recommends that learner 2 calls by 4pm. Do not arrange a conference call or wait for a callback.

Mark the swap complete

Once DVSA has confirmed the swap, either learner marks the match complete in The DTC Test Swap. Both listings are closed and removed from the matching pool.

What you will need

A confirmed DVSA practical car driving test appointment
Your test centre name, date and time
A UK mobile number for SMS match alerts
Your DVSA booking reference (needed for your listing and the swap calls)
Both learners able to call DVSA separately on the same day

Need the full centre list?

Browse every DVSA test centre, check pass rates and see active swap listings in your area.

Browse test centres

Privacy built in

No driving licence number or theory certificate number is collected.
No home address, payment card details or GOV.UK login details are collected.
Booking references are encrypted and only shared after both learners consent.
Only booking references are shared through The DTC after both learners consent. Never give another learner your phone number, email address, driving licence number, theory test certificate number, home address, payment card details or GOV.UK login.

Important to know

The DTC is not the DVSA and does not change appointments directly.
Request the swap at least 10 full working days before the earlier test. Count Monday to Saturday, excluding Sundays and public holidays.
Each learner must have at least one of their two permitted booking changes left.
For each learner, the other test must be at their current centre, one of its official 3 nearest centres, or their originally booked centre. The rule must work in both directions.
Both bookings must be the same test type: weekday, evening/weekend/bank-holiday, extra-time or the equivalent extended-test category.
If learner 2 has not called by the end of the day, the request expires and you must restart from learner 1's call. DVSA does not notify learner 1 when this happens. The swap is not complete until DVSA confirms the new bookings.

Read the official DVSA guidance

Ready to find a swap?

Add your current test details and let The DTC find compatible learners near you.

Find a swap

Common questions

Who can use The DTC Test Swap?

Any eligible learner with a confirmed DVSA practical car driving test appointment in Great Britain. Northern Ireland uses the DVA, and matching there is not currently available.

Does it cost anything?

No. Listing your test slot and finding a match is free. The DTC Test Swap has no subscription, success fee or admin fee.

Can I message the other learner?

No. The DTC Test Swap does not allow direct learner-to-learner contact. You review matches and accept or decline through your private match room.

How long does a swap take?

Finding a compatible match can take time. The DTC match-response deadline is separate from DVSA's process: after learner 1 calls, learner 2 must call that same day. DVSA recommends the second call by 4pm; waiting and processing times vary.

What details do I share with the other learner?

Only booking references are shared through The DTC after both learners consent. Never give another learner your phone number, email address, driving licence number, theory test certificate number, home address, payment card details or GOV.UK login.

What happens after we both accept?

What if the second call is not made?

If learner 2 has not called by the end of the day, the request expires and you must restart from learner 1's call. DVSA does not notify learner 1 when this happens. The swap is not complete until DVSA confirms the new bookings.

Can either booking change between the calls?

Changing either test's date, time or centre after learner 1 calls invalidates the request. Start again with a new call from learner 1. Do not treat the swap as complete until DVSA confirms the new bookings.

Can I withdraw after requesting a swap?

If learner 1 wants to withdraw consent after their first call, they can call DVSA again to do so. The original bookings remain unchanged unless DVSA completes the swap.