You can change your test date, time, or test centre through the DVA online portal, by phone, or by post — but you must request the change at least 10 working days before your scheduled test

The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) in Northern Ireland allows you to amend your driving test booking without losing your fee, provided you give proper notice. The fastest route is the DVA online booking system, where you can change your date and time when ready. If you cannot use the online system, you can call the DVA or send a written request by post, though these take longer to process.

If you do not give 10 working days' notice, the DVA treats your request as a cancellation. You will lose your test fee unless you can show the DVA that circumstances beyond your control prevented you from giving notice — illness with medical evidence, for example, or a family emergency. straightforward changing your mind does not count as grounds to keep your fee.

Key Takeaways

  • You must request any change to your test date, time, or centre at least 10 working days before your scheduled test, or you will forfeit your fee.
  • The DVA online booking system is the quickest way to amend your test and shows available slots when ready.
  • If you cannot use the online system, you can phone the DVA or post a written request, but processing takes longer.
  • Cancellations made with less than 10 working days' notice result in loss of your fee unless you have documented evidence of an emergency or serious illness.

Amending your test through the DVA online portal

Log into your DVA account on the official DVA website using your username and password. Navigate to "My Bookings" and select the test you want to change. You will see options to alter the date, time, or test centre. The system shows all available slots for your chosen category and location, so you can pick a new appointment when ready.

Once you confirm your new booking, the DVA sends a confirmation email with your updated test details. This method works 24 hours a day and requires no phone call or postal delay. You can amend your test as many times as you need, provided each change is made at least 10 working days before the test date.

Changing your test by phone or post

If you do not have online access or prefer to speak to someone, call the DVA on the number shown on your test appointment letter. Have your booking reference and driving licence number ready. The DVA adviser will check available slots and confirm your new date over the phone. You will receive a written confirmation by post within a few working days.

Alternatively, write to the DVA with your name, driving licence number, current test date, and the new date and time you want. Send this to the address on your appointment letter. Post takes longer — allow at least two weeks for the DVA to process your request and send confirmation. This method is slower than the online system or phone, so use it only if the other routes are not available to you.

What counts as 10 working days' notice

The DVA counts working days as Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays and weekends. If your test is on a Wednesday and you request a change on the Tuesday of the previous week, that is only 8 working days — not enough. You must make your request by the Friday of the week before your test to have 10 working days' notice.

The DVA calculates this from the date they receive your request. If you phone or visit in person, the change is processed that day. If you post a letter, the DVA counts from the date they receive it, not the date you send it. This is why posting is riskier — a letter can take several days to arrive, leaving you with less notice than you thought.

Losing your fee: when the DVA treats a change as a cancellation

If you request a change with fewer than 10 working days' notice, the DVA cancels your original test and does not refund your fee. This applies even if you are trying to book a new date — the system treats it as a cancellation followed by a new booking, and you forfeit the original payment.

The only exception is if you can show the DVA that you had a genuine emergency or serious illness that prevented you from giving notice earlier. You will need to provide evidence: a hospital letter, a doctor's note, or a police incident report, depending on the circumstances. Contact the DVA directly to discuss your situation before you lose hope, but understand that "I forgot" or "I changed my mind" will not preserve your fee.

Changing your test centre location

You can change which test centre you use through the same online, phone, or postal routes. The DVA runs test centres across Northern Ireland — in Belfast, Derry, Armagh, Bangor, and other locations. When you amend your booking, the system shows you all available centres and dates for your chosen test category.

Changing your centre does not affect the 10 working days' notice rule. You must still request the change at least 10 working days before your original test date. If you want to move to a centre that has no available slots within your preferred timeframe, you may need to accept a later date or contact the DVA to discuss your options.

What to do if you cannot reach the DVA or your amendment is urgent

If you are within 10 working days of your test and need to change it, contact the DVA when ready by phone rather than by post or email. Explain your situation to the adviser — if you have a genuine reason (illness, bereavement, work emergency), the DVA may consider processing your request as an exception, though they are not obliged to.

Do not assume the DVA will help you keep your fee if you are late. The 10 working days' rule exists to give the DVA time to reschedule the test slot. If you call with fewer than 10 days' notice, be prepared to lose your fee and book a new test from scratch. The sooner you call, the better your chances of finding an alternative slot quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my test date the day before my test?

No. The DVA requires at least 10 working days' notice. If you request a change the day before, you will forfeit your fee. The only way to avoid losing money is to cancel well in advance or to have documented evidence of an emergency or serious illness that prevented you from giving notice earlier.

Do I have to pay again if I change my test date?

No. Changing your date, time, or centre does not cost extra — you use the fee you already paid. You only lose your fee if you request the change with fewer than 10 working days' notice, in which case the DVA treats it as a cancellation.

What if I am ill on the day of my test?

Contact the DVA as soon as possible on the day of your test or the day before. If you are too ill to take the test, the DVA may allow you to reschedule without losing your fee, but you will need to provide medical evidence such as a doctor's note or a hospital letter. Do not straightforward miss your test without contacting them.

Can I change my test category after I have booked?

No. If you booked the wrong category (for example, automatic instead of manual), you will need to cancel that test and book a new one for the correct category. This means you lose your original fee. Contact the DVA to discuss your situation — in some cases they may consider an exception, but this is not may provide.

How long does it take to get confirmation of my amended test?

If you amend online, you get confirmation when ready. If you phone, you receive written confirmation by post within a few working days. If you post a letter, allow at least two weeks. Always check your email and post for the confirmation before your new test date.