Keep visibility when learners move their own tests.
The DTC Test Swap gives instructors a clearer way to support learners who already have a practical car test but need a different date, time or centre.
New DVSA rules mean learners manage the official booking themselves. The DTC helps you stay informed before a learner swaps into a date, time or centre that clashes with your diary or no longer suits their readiness.
Visibility for ADIs and driving instructors.
Instructor trust starts with a cleaner learner promise.
The DTC needs to feel like the calm, credible option. That matters to instructors because if the learner-side service feels risky, pushy or marketplace-like, it creates support problems for you too.
Protect your diary
See current and proposed test dates linked to your ADI number, then record whether you are available before learners commit to a swap.
Support more learners fairly
Help test-ready learners find genuine learner-to-learner swaps without encouraging paid slot reselling or unofficial booking services.
Keep the process compliant
The workflow is built around DVSA rules: exact slot exchange, remaining changes, the 10 full working day window, matching test types and location limits.
Limit sensitive information
Learners are warned not to share licence numbers, theory certificate details, addresses, payment cards or GOV.UK login details.
Learners can now move their own tests. That creates a visibility problem for instructors.
Many learners reach test standard, then get stuck with a date, time or centre that no longer works. Others find a tempting alternative date that looks better on paper but does not fit your diary, their preparation level, or the practical travel reality.
The DTC Test Swap exists because learners should not have to pay inflated fees or rely on questionable services just to look for a fair swap. For instructors, the value is that the process stays visible before the learner commits.
The instructor's role is still critical: you help learners decide whether a proposed slot is realistic before they accept, especially where journey time, readiness and your availability matter.
It gives you visibility. It does not try to replace DVSA.
- The DTC does not book driving tests: learners must already have a booked DVSA test.
- The DTC does not change or cancel a GOV.UK booking.
- The DTC does not sell test slots or charge a learner matching fee.
- The DTC does not take over the instructor-learner relationship.
- Test Swap is a separate service, so learners from other driving schools can still use it safely.
- The official swap must be completed by phone with DVSA.
The DTC helps collect the minimum matching details, checks compatibility, shows possible matches, and gives learners a safer place to accept, decline or report a proposed swap.
How it works for instructors
Register your ADI number
Create a Test Swap instructor account so learners linked to your ADI number can appear in your dashboard. Once registered, you can review linked learners, see their current and proposed test slots, and decide whether you are available before they commit to any swap.
Review learner slots
See current tests, proposed matches and upcoming swap possibilities in an instructor view. You can quickly check whether a proposed new date, time or centre works for your diary and the learner's readiness.
Protect your diary
Confirm whether you are available to cover the learner's current test or any proposed swapped slot before they go ahead. The learner is asked to confirm that they have spoken to you and that you have agreed to the swap.
The benefits for instructors and learners
For instructors
- Less guesswork when a learner asks about a swap.
- A clearer view of which learners are linked to your ADI number.
- A place to record whether a proposed new test date works for your diary.
- A safer process to guide learners away from paid swap markets and unofficial services.
- A route to support learners from other driving schools in Test Swap without creating CRM learner records for The DTC.
For learners
- Free access to learner-to-learner matching.
- Clear warnings about what information not to share.
- A private match room before booking references are revealed.
- Instructor availability visibility before committing to a swap.
- A fairer option than paying inflated prices for test-slot access.
Safety points instructors should reinforce
- Do not pay for a driving test swap.A genuine swap is an exchange between two learners who already have booked tests.
- Do not share sensitive details.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.
- Check readiness and availability first.A technically compatible slot still needs to work for the learner's training plan and your diary.
- Use DVSA for the official change.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.
Instructor FAQs
Is The DTC Test Swap only for instructors from The DTC?
No. Independent ADIs can register for a standalone Test Swap instructor account using their ADI number. Instructors from The DTC can also access Test Swap from the existing instructor portal.
Does The DTC book or swap the learner's test for them?
No. The DTC helps identify a possible match. Each learner must call DVSA separately on the same day; instructors cannot swap a test for them. The swap is only complete after DVSA confirms the new bookings.
Can instructors see learners who are not pupils of The DTC?
Yes, for Test Swap only. Learners can be linked by ADI number, and instructors from The DTC can invite other learners into the standalone Test Swap flow without creating CRM learner records.
What does the instructor dashboard show?
It shows learners linked to your ADI number, current and proposed test slots, match awareness, and availability decisions so you can help learners decide whether a swap is realistic.
Is Test Swap free for learners?
Yes. Learners are not charged a subscription, success fee or matching fee. Optional support contributions are separate and never affect matching or support priority.
Register with The DTC Test Swap
Use your ADI number to create a Test Swap instructor account. Once registered, learner listings linked to your ADI number can appear in your dashboard so you can support availability decisions.