Test day checklist

A forgotten licence, or a car that breaks a rule, can end your test before it starts, and you lose your fee. Run through this the day before.

What to bring

• Your UK driving licence. If you don’t have a photocard licence, bring a valid passport and your paper licence. If your licence is from Northern Ireland, bring the photocard and the paper counterpart.
• A car. Most people use their instructor’s, but you can use your own if it meets the rules below.
• Your theory test certificate, but only if you took your theory test in Northern Ireland. Otherwise the examiner checks your pass themselves.
• Your glasses or contact lenses, if you need them to read a number plate from 20 metres.

If you’ve lost your licence

Apply for a replacement straight away, because it can take up to 15 days to arrive. If it won’t arrive in time, rearrange your test.

You must be recognisable from your licence photo. Small changes, like dyed hair or a beard, are fine.

If you’re using your own car

Your car must:

• have no warning lights showing safety issues (like the airbag light)
• have no tyre damage, legal tread on every tyre, and no space-saver spare fitted
• be roadworthy
• have an extra interior rear-view mirror for the examiner
• have a passenger seatbelt and a proper passenger head restraint (slip-on types aren’t allowed)
• be able to reach at least 62mph, with an officially fitted mph speedometer
• show L plates on the front and back
• have 4 wheels, with a maximum authorised mass of no more than 3,500 kg (it’s in the handbook)
• be taxed, have a current MOT if it’s over 3 years old, and be insured for a driving test (check with your insurer)

It must also be smoke-free, so no smoking in it just before or during the test. Tidy it up, too: clear rubbish and unnecessary items from the dashboard, footwells, door pockets, cup holders and seats.

Your car doesn’t need dual controls. A hire car must have dual controls and meet all the other rules.

Cars you can’t use

Some cars can’t be used because the examiner can’t see all around, including any panel van, the BMW 218 convertible, BMW Mini convertible, Ford KA convertible, Polestar 4, Polestar 5, Smart Fortwo (2-door), Toyota iQ and VW Beetle convertible. If you want to use a coupe or a convertible, check with your test centre first, and a convertible’s roof must stay up.

Some recalled cars, including certain Citroen and DS models with airbag recalls, need proof that they’re safe. Check the full list and the proof you need on gov.uk.

On the day

• You’ll start with the eyesight check, reading a number plate at 20 metres (20.5 metres for an old-style plate).
• You can bring someone, usually your instructor, to sit in the back and hear your result. They must be over 16 and can’t help.
• If you have reading difficulties, you can write the number plate down instead of reading it out.
• If you’re pregnant you can take the test at any stage, but you must be able and willing to do an emergency stop.

If things go wrong

Bad weather

Tests don’t go ahead in dangerous weather, like ice, flooding, thick fog or high winds. If the weather’s bad on the day, call your test centre. The number is in your booking confirmation email.

If your test can’t go ahead, DVSA automatically books the next available date and sends you the details within 3 working days, or up to 7 if the bad weather lasts a long time. You can change the date if it doesn’t suit you. You can’t claim out-of-pocket expenses for weather cancellations.

Problems with you or your car

If your test can’t be finished because you feel unwell, or your car breaks down or doesn’t meet the rules, you have to book another test and pay again.

If DVSA cancels

If DVSA cancels for another reason, like the examiner being ill, you’ll get a new date. If they cancel at short notice, you can claim out-of-pocket expenses.