Do you need a driving instructor to take your test UK?

FM Driving School Do you need a driving instructor to take your test UK?

Using your own car for your test

You can take your driving test in your own car rather than your driving instructor’s if it meets certain rules.

Your test will be cancelled and you’ll have to pay again if your car does not meet the rules.

Rules about the car

Your car must:

  • be taxed
  • be insured for a driving test (check with your insurance company)
  • be roadworthy and have a current MOT (if it’s over 3 years old)
  • have no warning lights showing, for example, the airbag warning light
  • have no tyre damage and the legal tread depth on each tyre – you cannot have a space-saver spare tyre fitted
  • be smoke-free – this means you cannot smoke in it just before or during the test
  • be able to reach at least 62mph and have an mph speedometer
  • have 4 wheels and a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of no more than 3,500 kg

The MAM is the limit on how much the car can weigh when it’s loaded. It’ll be in the car’s handbook.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) safety

Because of coronavirus, you must clean the inside of your car before your test.

This means:

  • tidying unnecessary items from the dashboard, footwells, door pockets, cup holders and seats
  • wiping down the dashboard and car controls

The examiner will do an additional clean of some surfaces.

The car you use for your test must have at least one window open on each side throughout the test. Any combination of windows can be opened – for example, one from the front and one from the back. Wear clothing suitable for the weather.

Things that must be fitted

The car must have:

Dashcams and other cameras

You can use a camera fitted for insurance purposes, as long as it:

  • faces outside of the car and does not film the inside
  • does not record audio from inside the car

Vehicle features

You can use a car with:

  • an electronic parking brake
  • hill-start assist

Manual and automatic cars

You can take the test in a:

  • manual car – these have 3 pedals
  • automatic or semi-automatic car – these have 2 pedals

If you take your test in a semi-automatic car you’ll only be able to drive automatic and semi-automatic cars once you’ve passed your test.

Hire cars

You can take your test in a hire car if it’s fitted with dual controls and meets all the other rules.

Cars you cannot use

Some cars cannot be used in the test because they do not give the examiner all-round vision.

You cannot use any of the following:

  • BMW Mini convertible
  • Ford KA convertible
  • Toyota iQ
  • VW Beetle convertible

Check with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) before you book your test if you want to use a:

  • convertible car
  • panel van

DVSA driving test enquiries
customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 200 1122
Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Find out about call charges