Some driving licence candidates find themselves in an uncomfortable situation with the driving school they initially chose, whether because of poor organisation, a lack of available vehicles, or even problems with the driving instructors. In this case, every learner has the right to change driving school during their training, but this process requires following precise administrative procedures to ensure the training continues without losing time or money.
📄 Tunisian legislation allows you to change driving school at any time during your training, provided that the applicable administrative procedures are followed.
Why consider changing driving school?
Several reasons may lead a learner to consider changing driving school during their training.
- Moving to another city or governorate for work or study
- Lack of available slots for practical training
- Communication problems with the driving instructors or the administration
- Unclear pricing or additional fees that were not agreed
- Vehicles that are broken down or poorly maintained
- Dissatisfaction with the quality of the theory or practical training
The legal framework for changing driving school
Under the Tunisian legislation governing the driving instruction profession, every learner has the right to change driving school without having to give a detailed justification for their decision.
💡The learner's administrative file (including the driving theory test results, if any) belongs to the learner and not to the driving school, so the school cannot refuse to hand over the necessary documents.
The practical steps for changing driving school
To change driving school properly and in an organised way, the following steps should be taken in order:
- Settle your financial situation with your current driving school if any amounts are still due or outstanding
- Go to the administration of your current driving school and request the cancellation of your enrolment
- Collect the original documents submitted at enrolment (identity card, photos, medical certificate)
- Go to the new driving school to submit a new enrolment application together with the documents you have collected
⚠️Avoid leaving the first driving school without ending the contractual relationship, as this could cause administrative problems later when enrolling at the new driving school.
What to do if the driving school refuses to hand over your documents?
Some driving schools refuse, for various reasons, to hand back the learner's original administrative documents. In this case, it is advisable to proceed step by step, favouring dialogue first before considering more formal solutions.
- First try an amicable solution by speaking directly with the management of the driving school
- Point out in writing (letter or message) that the documents legally belong to the learner
- If the refusal continues, file a complaint with the Regional Transport Directorate or bring legal action to recover your rights
- In parallel, it is possible to rebuild your file by declaring the loss of the original documents
To replace lost or withheld documents, the learner can go to the police station to make a declaration of loss, then present this declaration to the Agence Technique des Transports Terrestres (ATTT) in order to obtain new documents.
The amicable route always remains preferable as a first step, as it avoids the delays and costs associated with court proceedings. Legal action or rebuilding the documents should remain solutions of last resort.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change driving school after passing the driving theory test?
Yes, this is possible. The driving theory test result remains valid and is transferred with your file to the new driving school, so you will not need to retake it.
Will I lose the driving lessons I have already taken at the first driving school?
Not necessarily. If you obtain an official certificate documenting the number of lessons completed, the new driving school can count them towards your training programme.
What should I do if the first driving school refuses to hand over my documents?
You can contact the Regional Transport Directorate and file an official complaint, since personal documents belong to the learner and the driving school has no right to withhold them.
Is there a specific time limit for making the change?
There is no law setting a strict time limit, but it is advisable to complete the process as quickly as possible to avoid losing the continuity of your training.
Will I have to pay full enrolment fees at the second driving school?
That depends on the new driving school's policy. Some charge only a nominal enrolment fee for learners coming from other driving schools with a documented training file.
Conclusion
Changing driving school in Tunisia during your training is a legitimate right for every learner, and it can be done smoothly if the correct administrative procedures are followed. The key is to document each stage of your training carefully, keep all receipts and certificates, and communicate clearly with both driving schools.
