The Car

Clearly the Car that you are going to sit the  Driving Test in has to be one that you are very familiar with and that you have spent plenty of time in. This can be your own Car if you are fortunate enough to own one or can be The Driving School Car which is hired out especially for the occasion.

 In the case of the Driving School Car, obviously it will have been thoroughly prepared and ready for use as it would be on any normal day of Tuition. If you are using your own Car then you have a responsibility to read the instructions which come with your Test Appointment (if not before) and ensure that all points have been adhered to.

 This document is much more extensive than most people realise and if any of the requirements are not met to the satisfaction of the Examiner ...then your test will not go ahead; you will be put to the back of the waiting list; and you will lose your fee and have to apply all over again!

The Car has to comply with all Legal Requirements which are as follows:-

1.     The relevant Motor Tax, Insurance and N.C.T. certificates must be displayed and current.

2.     The Tyres must have a Legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm which has to cover at least 75% of the width of the Tyre and around the full outer circumference.

3.     All Indicators should be functioning correctly.

4.     All brake lights must be working.

5.     There should be no serious cracks in the Windscreen.

6.     All lenses should be intact.

7.     If fitted with rear passenger head restraints these should be present and not removed.

8.     All loose articles should be removed from the cabin and particularly any unnecessary hanging ornaments such as Furry Dice and Nodding Dogs.

9.     All doors should be functioning correctly.

10. Legal size L plates should be displayed at the front and the rear of the car.

It is good practise to make sure that the car is clean inside and out with special attention to Windscreens, particularly on the inside. A clean inside windscreen gives a much clearer picture of what is going on around you and is a great advantage in very sunny weather conditions when it can be difficult to see clearly.

The time to be double checking all of these items and getting any necessary repairs done should be weeks before the test and not left to the last minute. Last minute visits to N.C.T centres or Garages is likely to leave you with unresolved problems on the Day of your Test leading to having to cancel your appointment when someone else could have been facilitated. Garage repairs and delays in the supply of parts invariably mean that Cars are not ready when you expect them to be; with the result that it will be impossible to arrange the hire of a Driving School Car at such short notice.

Also bear in mind that if you are forced to hire a Car for the Test you will need time to acclimatise to this new vehicle. Taking a Driving Test in an unfamiliar Car will inevitably lead to a failed Test. A Driving School also will not hire a Car out to a Learner Driver who is not up to standard or who is not prepared to budget for at least 6 hours of acclimatisation.  

     Join the Mailing List and Receive Your 

 Free 7-Part  Mini-Course on Passing The Test!