Many learners may prefer to sit their practical test in their own car – familiarity can reduce nerves. It’s allowed – if your car meets a set of strict requirements. Below is what you need to know to avoid being turned away (or having your test cancelled) on test day.
✅ What the Official Rules Say
You can take your driving test in your own vehicle, rather than your instructor’s, as long as it complies with all the rules set by DVSA. GOV.UK. If it fails to meet them, the test could be cancelled, and you’ll lose your test fee.
Here are the main requirements:
🛠 Requirements for Your Car
Your car must:
- Show no warning lights (e.g. airbag, ABS) when in motion.
- Be roadworthy: no tyre damage, all tyres meet legal tread depth, and you must not use a space-saver spare tyre.
- Be taxed and, if over 3 years old, have a valid MOT.
- Be insured for use in the driving test (check with your insurer).
- Have an extra interior rear-view mirror for the examiner (a suction or fixed mirror facing rear).
- Be fitted with L-plates (or D plates in Wales) on front and rear, clearly visible.
- Have a passenger seatbelt and a passenger head restraint for the examiner (slip-on types are not allowed).
- Be capable of at least 62 mph (to ensure it can keep up with normal traffic).
- Have a speedometer showing mph (must register speed in miles).
- Be a 4-wheeled vehicle with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 3,500 kg or less.
🚫 Vehicle Features & Restrictions
There are features you can use and those you must not use during your test:
Allowed features (if fitted):
- Cruise control (including adaptive)
- Speed limiters
- Parking sensors and cameras
- Lane assist, blind spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition
Prohibited features:
- Self-parking / autonomous parking / Tesla autopilot etc., cannot be used during the test.
- Dashcams: The car may have an insurance / outside-facing camera, but it must not record audio or film the interior during the test.
Also, tinted windows are acceptable only if they comply with legal limits: front windscreen and front side windows must not be overly dark.
🧠 Instructor Tips & Real-World Notes
- Test your car early: A week (or more) before your test, check all the above — tyres, lights, mirrors, headrest — so that any remedial work can be done.
- Install the examiner’s mirror well: Place it close to your existing mirror, but ensure it does not obstruct your view.
- Check insurance ahead: Not all standard learner insurance covers use during a driving test — confirm or add a “test use” clause.
- Know whether your car is acceptable: Some convertibles, panel vans, or cars with poor rear visibility are disallowed for test use.
📋 Pre-Test Checklist (Using Your Own Car)
- No dashboard warning lights on
- Tyres in good condition; correct tread depth
- Vehicle taxed, MOT valid (if required)
- Test-use insurance confirmed
- An extra mirror was installed for the examiner
- L / D plates mounted front & back
- Passenger seatbelt & head restraint fitted
- The car can reach the required speed; speedometer in mph
- 4 wheels; under 3,500 kg MAM
- Disallowed features disabled (self-parking etc.)
- Dashcam does not record inside or audio
- Tinted windows comply with legal limits
- Vehicle interior tidy and safe
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need dual controls if I use my own car?
A: No – dual controls are not required unless you are using a hire car.
Q: What if my car has features like parking sensors or lane assist?
A: You may use those if they are fitted, as long as they don’t override your control. Features like autonomous parking or autopilot must not be used during the test.
Q: Can I do the test in a hire car?
A: Yes, but the hired car must have dual controls and meet all the standard vehicle rules.
Q: What if my car fails on test day (tyre, lights, etc.)?
A: The examiner may cancel your test, and you’ll lose your fee. That’s why checking ahead is crucial.
Q: Is using your own car more likely to fail?
A: Not necessarily. Provided the car meets all requirements and you’re comfortable with it, using your own car can be beneficial (you know its controls, dimensions). The examiner judges your driving, not the car.
📚 Attribution & Official Sources
Some of the information here is derived from standard driving theory and DVSA / Highway Code guidance on stopping distances and safe driving. FQ Driving Academy is not affiliated with DVSA. For official reference, consult: .GOV.UK
