To take the UK driving test, your car must meet DVSA car requirements. These rules ensure safety, reliability, and a fair test environment. Failing to meet them can result in your test being cancelled.
What Are the Legal Requirements for a Driving Test Car?
A driving test car must be roadworthy, insured, and taxed.
The DVSA enforces technical, safety, and operational requirements.
Minimum UK Driving Test Car Requirements:
| Requirement Type | Condition or Rule |
|---|---|
| Insurance | Must cover the candidate for the test |
| Road Tax | Vehicle must be taxed (check via DVLA) |
| MOT Certificate | Required if the car is over 3 years old |
| Roadworthy Condition | Must be free of warning lights or mechanical faults |
| Tyres | Minimum tread depth of 1.6mm; no damage |
| Cleanliness | Car must be clean inside for examiner visibility |
What Features Must the Car Have for the Test?
The DVSA requires specific car features to allow safe testing and examiner control.
Required Car Features for the Driving Test:
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Additional Interior Mirror: For the examiner
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Head Restraints: On front passenger seat
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Working Seatbelts: Fully operational, especially on front seats
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Manual Windows: Electric also allowed, but must be functional
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Speedometer in MPH: Must display miles per hour (not just KMH)
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L-Plates: Clearly displayed on front and rear
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No Dash Warning Lights: Especially for brakes or airbags
Can You Use an Automatic Car for the Driving Test?
Yes. You can use an automatic car, but it limits your licence to automatic vehicles only.
Manual car test passes allow you to drive both manual and automatic.
Automatic Test Conditions:
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Must still meet all DVSA car rules
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Examiner may reject a car with unclear visibility or faults
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Candidates must ensure the insurance includes driving tests
Are Dashcams or Parking Sensors Allowed During the Test?
Dashcams are allowed if they don’t record audio.
Parking sensors are allowed, but the examiner may ask you not to use them.
| Feature | Allowed During Test? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Dashcam (video) | ✅ Yes | No audio recording permitted |
| Parking Sensors | ✅ Yes | May be disabled if requested |
| Reverse Camera | ✅ Yes | Cannot interfere with judgement |
What Cars Are Not Allowed for UK Driving Tests?
Some vehicles are banned due to poor examiner visibility or known safety concerns.
DVSA Prohibited Cars for Driving Tests:
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BMW Mini convertible
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Ford KA convertible
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Toyota iQ
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VW Beetle convertible
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Smart cars (due to visibility)
Always check the DVSA banned car list before booking your test.
Can You Use a Rental Car for Your Driving Test?
You can use a rental car, but only if it meets DVSA rules and includes proper insurance.
Conditions for Using a Hire Car in Your Test:
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Dual controls strongly recommended
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Visible L-plates
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Confirmation of test insurance
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Must not appear on DVSA’s banned list
🚗 Tip: Testday in Bradford offers DVSA-approved rental cars with dual controls and full insurance for driving tests.
What If Your Car Fails to Meet the Requirements on Test Day?
The driving test will be cancelled, and you won’t get a refund.
Common Reasons for DVSA Test Refusal:
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Warning light on dashboard
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No L-plates
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Dirty interior affecting examiner visibility
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Insurance document not provided
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Speedometer shows only KMH
What Type of Car Is Best for the UK Driving Test?
Ideal test cars are compact, easy to manoeuvre, and meet DVSA standards.
Popular Driving Test Car Features:
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Light clutch (for manual)
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Small turning radius
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Clear all-round visibility
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Manual or automatic gearbox (depending on licence goal)
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Familiar controls for the candidate
Can You Take the Test in Your Instructor’s Car?
Yes. This is the most common option.
Instructor cars are typically DVSA-compliant and fully insured.
Do Driving Test Cars Need Dual Controls?
Dual controls are not required by the DVSA but are strongly recommended.
They allow the examiner or instructor to intervene if needed.
Can I Use a Foreign Car or Left-Hand Drive Car?
You can’t use a left-hand drive or foreign-plated vehicle for the UK test.
The vehicle must be right-hand drive, UK-registered, and insured for test use.
Where to Find a DVSA-Approved Driving Test Car in Bradford?
At Testday, we provide DVSA-approved manual and automatic cars, ready for your driving test in Bradford.
✅ Dual controls
✅ Fully insured for test use
✅ Clean, well-maintained cars
✅ Free L-plates included
✅ MPH speedometers and extra mirrors installed
🚗 Need a Car for Your Driving Test in Bradford?
Avoid test day cancellations. Hire a DVSA-approved car from Testday in Bradford.
📍 Located near driving test centres
📞 Call now for availability
👉 Book a test-ready car with Testday Bradford
