Taking your driving test in your own car

As a learner driver, if you spend a lot of time practising in your own car, you might prefer to use it for your driving test. After all, comfort and familiarity are key to a calm, controlled drive. But are you allowed to use your own car when you take your driving test? Here’s what you need to know.

Written by

Rory Reid

Car and technology expert

Last Updated

13 MARCH 2023

7 min read

Can you take a driving test in your own car?

Yes, you can take your driving test in your own car.

Most people take their driving lessons in their driving instructor’s car, but there’s no rule to say you need to take your test in that same car. So, whether you’d simply prefer to take your driving test in your car or have been learning with a friend or family member in their car, you can take your driving test in whichever car you like.

However, there are some rules to follow.

What are the rules on using your own car for a driving test?

While most people choose to use their driving instructor’s car for their test, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t use your own set of wheels – and there are plenty of advantages of doing so.

If you do want to use your own car for your practical driving test, it will need to satisfy a few basic rules.

Tax: your car tax will need to be valid and in date at the time of your test.
Insurance: your car will need to be insured for a driving test – check this with your insurance company.
Roadworthiness: your car must have a current MOT if it’s over three years old and no warning lights should be visible. You may need proof of a valid MOT.
Tyres: all tyres must have the legal tyre tread depth and there must be no signs of tyre damage. You must also not have a space-saver spare tyre.
A smoke-free car: you’re not allowed to smoke in your car before or during your test.
Speed: your car must be able to reach at least 62mph – slightly faster than the national speed limit on single carriageway roads (which is 60mph). Make sure your car is capable of this on your speedometer before the test.
Wheels: cars must have four wheels and have a maximum authorised mass of 3,500kg.

If your car doesn’t meet the rules, the driving examiner will have to cancel the test and, unfortunately, you won’t be refunded.

Extra requirements for driving test cars

Bear with us – we’re not quite done with the rules yet. Along with those listed above, there are some further requirements for all cars used in driving tests. If you’re planning to use your own car, it must be fitted with:

An extra interior rear-view mirror that the driving examiner will use (you can buy these online).
L plates on the front and back of the car – you can also use D plates if you’re taking your test in Wales.
A passenger seatbelt and a fixed head restraint for the examiner.

It’s okay to use a dashcam or camera that’s fitted for insurance purposes, as long as it doesn’t film or record audio from the inside of the car.

Are some cars not allowed for the driving test?

There are a few car models you can’t use for a driving test. That’s because they don’t provide the examiner with all-round vision from the passenger seat.

They include:

BMW Mini convertible
Ford KA convertible
Smart Fortwo (two-door)
Toyota iQ
VW Beetle convertible

If you’re planning to use any convertible car or panel van for your test, you should check with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) first.

There may also be issues with cars that have been recalled because of safety faults. If you have one of these, you’ll need to show proof (such as a receipt) that work has been carried out on your car to rectify the problem so it’s safe to drive. You can find the full list of recalled cars on the GOV.UK website.

Why use your own car for the driving test?

While some learner drivers only ever get behind the wheel of their instructor’s car, others are lucky enough to get extra practice in their own or a parent’s vehicle.

If you feel more at ease in your own car than your instructor’s car, it makes sense to use your own car for your test.

Sitting your driving test can be a nerve-wracking experience. Anything that makes you feel more relaxed on the day could put you in a better position to pass. That could be a psychological comfort, being in that space that you’ve grown in confidence, but it can also be the familiarity with the physical dimensions of that car you’ve been practising in most often.

Your car might also have more driver assistance features than an instructor’s car. For instance, hill-start assist, an electronic handbrake and parking sensors may make it easier to perform hill starts or parking manoeuvres.

Finally, having to use your driving instructor’s car means you’re having to pay them for their time and use of the car. This could be the equivalent of a two or three-hour lesson. You’re also slightly at the mercy of their diary for your test date.

What are the disadvantages of using my own car for my driving test?

Firstly, you won’t have your instructor present for some final driving test tips.

If you’ve been learning in an instructor’s car and using your own car for extra practice, you might have picked up some bad habits that your instructor hasn’t noticed and corrected. This could work against you in your driving test.

It’s also worth remembering that your own car won’t have dual controls. If you were to slip up at the wheel, you’d be the only one in control of the car.

What insurance do I need to take my driving test in my own car?

You’ll need to have valid insurance for the car you’re taking your test in. Learner driver insurance gives you cover to practise in a friend or family member’s car while you learn. It should also cover you for a driving test, but make sure you check the terms and conditions before you book the test.

If you’re only planning to drive with a professional driving instructor or are taking your test through a driving school programme, you won’t need to worry about car insurance until after you pass your test.

If you only need insurance to take your driving test, you could also take out a temporary car insurance policy. Temporary policies are available from as little as an hour, so you could take out cover for the duration of your test.

Will I have to take someone with me to the driving test?

Whichever car you use to drive to the test centre, someone will need to accompany you because you’re still a learner until you pass and will need to be supervised. Whoever goes with you must be over 21 and have held a full driving licence for at least three years.

And you’ll need to make arrangements to get home again if you drive well enough to pass your test. While that might sound illogical, it’s because you’ll no longer be insured to drive if you only have learner driver insurance as this doesn’t cover qualified drivers.

If you’d like whoever went with you to the driving test centre to take you home, make sure they’re insured to drive your car.

Compare car insurance for learner drivers

A good learner driver policy will provide you with cover for third party damage or injury, and protect you against vehicle fire and theft. Start comparing Learner Driver Insurance with Comparethemarket today, to find the cover that’s right for you.

Once you’ve passed your test, look for a new driver car insurance policy.

Frequently asked questions

Does my car need to have dual controls for the driving examiner?

No, it’s not necessary for a car to have dual controls to take your driving test in it. The rules are that an examiner needs a seatbelt, a fixed head restraint and an internal mirror. Although the examiner may feel safer in a car with dual controls, they’re not a legal requirement.

Do I need to tell the test centre if I want to use my own car?

There’s no need to give the test centre advance notice if you’re planning to use your own car – unless you want to double check that your car has all the necessary requirements. You can simply turn up on the day as you would if you were using your instructor’s car.

Can I take my driving test in an automatic car?

Yes, you can take the test in an automatic or semi-automatic car that has two pedals. But bear in mind that if you take your test in a semi-automatic car, you’ll only be able to drive semi-automatic and automatic cars once you’ve passed. You’d need to pass a manual car driving test in order to drive a manual car in future.

Can I take my driving test in a hire car?

Yes, as long as it meets the test car requirements and has all the necessary features. However, a hire car must also have dual controls.

This might be a useful solution if your driving instructor isn’t available on the test date you’re aiming for, or you can’t borrow a car from a friend or family member.