What to Bring to Your Driving Test: UK Checklist

Last checked: 28 October 2026

It sounds like a short list, and it is. That’s what makes it so easy to get wrong on a nervous morning. DVSA says 2,281 driving tests were cancelled in July 2026 because people brought an unsuitable car, forgot their driving licence or were late.

Here’s everything you need for a car driving test in England, Scotland and Wales, plus the rules your car has to meet if it isn’t your instructor’s.

Your driving test checklist

What to bring	Do you need it?	Notes
UK driving licence	Yes	You must be recognisable from the photo
Theory test certificate	Only if you took your theory test in Northern Ireland	For tests in Great Britain, the examiner checks your pass
A car	Yes	DVSA doesn’t provide one
Valid passport	Only if you have a paper licence	Bring it with the paper licence
Photocard and paper counterpart	Only for a Northern Ireland licence	Bring both
Glasses or contact lenses	If you need them to drive	You’ll do an eyesight check first
Proof a recalled car is safe	Only if your car is on DVSA’s recall list	See the car rules below

Your driving licence

This is the one item you can’t do without. If you have a photocard licence, that’s all you need. If you don’t have a photocard, bring a valid passport and your paper licence. If your licence is from Northern Ireland, bring the photocard and the paper counterpart.

If you’ve lost your licence

Apply for a replacement straight away: GOV.UK says it could take up to 15 days to arrive. If it won’t arrive in time, rearrange your test. Changing the date is free as long as you do it at least 10 full working days (Mondays to Saturdays) before the test. Our guide to replacing a lost provisional licence walks through the application.

The photo on your licence

You must be recognisable from the photo. You don’t need to change it for small changes in your appearance, such as dyeing your hair or growing a beard. You must change it if you can’t be recognised from it, for example after plastic surgery.

Your theory test pass certificate

You only need to bring it if you took your theory test in Northern Ireland. If you took it in Great Britain and have lost it, you don’t need a replacement: your driving examiner will check that you’ve passed your theory test before the driving test starts. Our guide to the theory test pass certificate explains what to do if you lose it.

Glasses or contact lenses

If you need glasses or contact lenses to meet the standards of vision for driving, you must wear them every time you drive, and that includes your test. The test starts with an eyesight check: you’ll read a number plate from 20 metres, or 20.5 metres for an old-style plate. Fail it and the test ends there.

The car

DVSA doesn’t provide a car, so you must bring one. Most people use their driving instructor’s car. You can use your own car instead, but if it doesn’t meet the rules, the test will be cancelled and you’ll have to pay again.

Rules if you use your own car

Your car must:

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

Tidy the car before your test and remove rubbish and unnecessary items from the dashboard, footwells, door pockets, cup holders and seats. It must be smoke-free, so you can’t smoke in it just before or during the test.

Car features and cameras

You can use a car with features such as an electronic parking brake, hill-start assist, cruise control, parking sensors, lane assist and blind spot monitoring. You can’t use self-parking, Tesla autopilot or your own sat nav during the test. A dashcam fitted for insurance is fine, as long as it faces outside and doesn’t record audio from inside the car.

Your own car doesn’t need dual controls. A hire car does, and must meet all the other rules too. If you take your test in an automatic or semi-automatic car, you’ll only be able to drive automatic and semi-automatic cars once you’ve passed.

Cars you can’t use

Some cars don’t give the examiner all-round vision. GOV.UK lists 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 convertible or a coupe, check with your test centre first.

Some models have also been recalled for safety reasons. You can only use one of those if you bring proof that it’s safe. The list changes, so check the current recall table on GOV.UK before your test.

Arrive on time

DVSA asks you to arrive at the test centre 5 minutes before your appointment. Being late is one of the reasons tests get cancelled, so leave plenty of time, especially if you’re using a test centre you don’t know well. Your booking confirmation email has the test centre’s phone number if you need to contact them.

Someone to sit in, if you want

Your examiner will ask if you want someone to sit in the back during the test or be with you for the result and feedback. This is usually your driving instructor, but it can be a relative or friend. They must be over 16 and can’t take any part in the test.

If something goes wrong on the day

• You forget your licence or bring a car that breaks the rules: the test is cancelled and you won’t get a refund.
• You feel unwell or the car breaks down during the test: you’ll have to book another test and pay again.
• Bad weather: tests don’t go ahead in dangerous conditions such as ice, flooding, thick fog or high winds. DVSA books the next available date automatically and sends details within 3 working days.

Once you’re in the car, our guides to what happens on the driving test, the show me, tell me questions and how many minors you can have cover the rest.

Taking your theory test instead?

The list is different. For the theory test you must take your UK photocard driving licence (or the photocard and paper counterpart for a Northern Ireland licence). With a paper licence, bring a valid passport as well. If you changed your name after booking, bring proof such as a marriage certificate or deed poll. See our guides to how long the theory test lasts and what it costs.

Sources: GOV.UK What to take to your driving test, Using your own car, What happens during the test, Test cancelled, Driving eyesight rules and What to take to your theory test; DVSA Ready to Pass?: What to take to your driving test.