Driving Instructors: What the 2026 Booking Changes Mean

If you teach learners, the 2026 changes affect how you work with them. Here is a summary of what changed and how to keep helping your pupils within the rules.

What changed for instructors

From 12 May 2026, only the learner can book and manage their own practical test. Instructors can no longer book, change or cancel on a pupil's behalf. See our book your own test guide.

What you can still do

• Advise on when a pupil is ready and which centres suit them.
• Sit with them while they book, so they can check dates against your diary.
• Give them your reference number, which they can add when booking so availability can be checked.
• Keep your availability up to date where the service allows it.

What you cannot do

• Log in as a pupil or use their details to book.
• Offer a service that books or manages tests for learners.
• Charge extra for a slot. Learners should only ever pay the official fee.

Helping pupils with the new limits

Learners can make only two changes to a booking, and moving centres is limited to the centre first booked or the three centres nearest to where the test is booked. Explain this before they book. It helps them choose a centre and date carefully. Share our two changes guide and the 2026 booking rules overview.

Useful conversations to have

• Is the pupil ready, and by when? See when to book your test.
• Which centres would you recommend? See how to choose a test centre.
• What will test-day costs be, and which car do they need? See manual or automatic test.
• What is the pupil's refund deadline? See cancelling a driving test.

Resources to share

Our booking checklist and booking scams guides are written for learners and are free to share.

What DVSA has said about instructor access

• Instructors can no longer use the online business service to book, change, cancel or swap car tests for learners.
• Instructors cannot see test availability. Learners see available tests when they book.
• If two pupils may want to swap tests, you can start the conversation, but the learners must contact DVSA themselves.
• You can still set your available hours so the booking system checks your availability.

Frequently asked questions

Can I book my pupil's test for them?

No. Since 12 May 2026 only the learner can book.

Can I still be on the booking?

Learners can add your reference number so the system checks your availability. Adding or removing it does not use a change.

Can I charge for finding a slot?

No. Learners should only pay the official fee.

Sources: GOV.UK: Book your driving test, Change your driving test, Cancel your driving test, Driving test cost, Theory test pass. DVSA bulletins of 17 and 26 March 2026 and the DVSA Despatch blog posts of March and May 2026.

Booking rules and fees change. This article was checked against GOV.UK and DVSA announcements in October 2026. Always confirm the current details on GOV.UK before you book, change or cancel a test. SlotBrowser is an independent service and is not affiliated with the DVSA or any government agency.