Can you take your driving test in your own car?
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The simple answer is Yes! You can take your driving test in your own car rather than your driving instructor's if it meets certain rules.
What are the requirements to do a test in your own car?
It must be taxed, be insured, be roadworthy and have a current MOT(if over 3 years). You can drive either a manual or automatic, but if you do take the test in an automatic or semi-automatic, then you will only be able to drive this type of car once you pass your test. There must be no warning lights active, each tyre must have the legal tread depth and be smoke free. So, if you are a smoker, do not smoke in it just before the test. You should also give the car a good clean out and tidy up before the test. Remove any rubbish from the dashboard, footwells, door pockets, cupholders and seats. An exterior interior rear-view mirror for the examiner, L plates on the front and rear of the car and the seatbelts must be fully functional. Finally, the vehicle must be able to reach 62mph and the speedometer must be fully functional to be able to show this.
Is it easier to pass your driving test in your own car?
As a learner driver, you may have practised in your instructor’s car and not your own. However, you may have been taught to drive by a friend or family member and you might have spent time practising in your own car and therefore feel more comfortable in it for the test rather than driving a new car you have not driven in before. If it was your own car, you know where all the controls are, where your clutch bites if you are driving a manual, you would have practised all the manoeuvres in it and your seat and mirrors will be set perfectly for you. It being your own car, too, you can be more flexible on times and dates for the test. If you use an instructor’s car, you likely will have to pay them for use of it, normally around 3 hours' worth on average.
Do you have to take your driving instructor with you?
No, you do not need to bring your driving instructor. This decision rests in your hands. There are pros and cons to the choice, positives being:
Cons are very similar, instead of reassurance they can be off putting to you. Instead of motivational, it can become more pressure for you as you may not like the possibility of them watching you fail and end up feeling like a disappointment to them.
Do you need special insurance to use your own car for a driving test?
The car needs to be insured for you as a learner driver. A popular solution if you do not have learner driver insurance is to take out one day driving test insurance, which can be done before the test. After you pass your test, you will then need to take out separate insurance to cover you as a qualified driver. Check the terms some providers of one day driving test insurance will give you a few hours grace to return home before the insurance expires, but not all, so do check with your insurance provider. The best option is to apply online for temporary car insurance NI directly after you have passed your test, this will then let you drive home.
Do examiners check insurance?
Currently, they do not ask for a copy of your insurance, but you will sign a document that will request this information before the test starts, so no insurance no test.
Minimum requirements for test vehicles
Additional requirements for own vehicle to be used for driving test
Can you use parking sensors on driving test?
Yes, parking sensors are permitted during the driving test.
Passed your test an driving home
When taking your test you have provisional car insurance, but this will in most if not all cases become invalid once you have qualified! Check first on this with your insurance provider, some may provide a grace period of a few hours to drive back home. Failing that have someone available to drive the car home, the last thing you want to happen is getting stopped with no insurance after just passing your test.
Whether you take your test in your own car or your instructors, we wish you all the luck in your test!
A few cars have been deemed unsuitable for the driving test due to the limited vision they provide to the test examiner, and these include the following:
Most people will take their driving test in their instructor's car, if you wish to use your own can use your own car, but make sure it meets with all the requirements
No evidence exists to suggest that you would be more likely to fail if you use your own car in the driving test. Because of the lack of dual controls, the examiner may intervene quicker without having a brake pedal as a fallback.