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Can You Use Your Own Car
for the Driving Test?

The full checklist, the cars you can’t use, and what to check first.

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Family car with L plates parked outside a house ready for a driving test

Yes, you can use your own car for the driving test, as long as it meets the rules. If it doesn’t, your test will be cancelled and you’ll have to pay again, so it’s worth checking carefully.

The checklist

  • Taxed, with a current MOT if it’s over 3 years old.
  • Insured for a driving test. Check with your insurer, as not every policy covers it.
  • Roadworthy, with no warning lights showing, such as the airbag light.
  • Legal tyres with no damage, and no space-saver spare fitted.
  • An extra interior rear-view mirror for the examiner.
  • A passenger seatbelt and a proper head restraint for the examiner. Slip-on ones aren’t allowed.
  • L plates on the front and back.
  • Four wheels, able to reach at least 62mph, with a proper mph speedometer.
  • Clean and tidy inside, with no smoking just before or during the test.

Dashcams and car features

A dashcam is allowed if it only films outside the car and doesn’t record sound inside. Features such as parking sensors, cameras, cruise control and hill-start assist are fine. Self-parking, autopilot systems and your own sat nav aren’t allowed during the test.

Cars you can’t use

Some cars don’t give the examiner a good enough view, including panel vans and certain convertibles and small coupés. Cars under some safety recalls need proof they’ve been fixed. Check the full list on GOV.UK before booking.

Manual or automatic?

If you pass in an automatic or semi-automatic car, you’ll only be able to drive automatics. Read manual or automatic: which should you learn in?

Why most people use their instructor’s car

  • It already meets all the rules, so there’s no risk of the test being cancelled.
  • It has dual controls.
  • It’s the car you’ve learnt in, so everything feels familiar on the day.
  • You can have a warm-up lesson just before your test.

Wondering what else to bring? Read what happens on the day of your driving test.

Sources: GOV.UK: Using your own car for the driving test.

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