Taking a driving test in your own car

[pikey]

g/f is taking her driving test in her own car.

Previously she's been told (by an instructor) that one needs to have 'special' insurance to take the test in your own car and the standard won't do.

The insurance company confirms she would be covered.

The driving test people cannot be called (and I can't find the info on their website).

Has anyone actually any experience of this and can advise of their experience? Ie. I'm sure it's ok, the insurance company's confirmed, but I don't want teh test to not go ahead because of something missing.

Thanks

[Sharief]

Well I'm learning at the moment and my instructor told me as long as you have mirrors, in date tax and insurance you can have the test in your own car. Miss any of those and it's an instant failure I think.

Is there a particular reason she wants to do it in her own car, or is it just to save on paying the instructor another rip-off 50 quid? Out of interest.

[Sharief]

Or just look at this. Which will probably prove I'm wrong in some way: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNew...

[greenBo**ox]

they just want you to use their cars so they can get more money, plain and simple!
i used a 1987 renault 19 for my test about a year and abit ago, instructor was amused but didnt mind.

Normal insurance will cover it fine, ignore the crap the instructors spout they just want ££.

[topless_mx5]

I see why there should be any other problems as long as the car is legal.

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but I wonder what the most expensive car anyone has taken a test in is. I heard once of someone doing it in a Ferrari 360, anyone top that?

[greenBo**ox]

1987 renault 19 gts?

[markmullen]

AFAIK as long as she is insured as a provisional licence holder then she'll be fine.

[Sharief]

greenBo**ox said:

1987 renault 19 gts?

I'm doing it in my instructor's car rather than my own simply because I find it easier to drive. The clutch isn't so harsh, and the pedals are nice and spaced apart for the emergency stop, it has the little mirror thing so I can see the kerb when reversing, and the steering's much lighter. Otherwise I would do it in my car, but then if I fail in my car it will cost me another 50 quid for the test anyway.

[oggs]

Ben, you will need to supply L-Plates and an interior mirror for the examiner and insurance wise so long as she is a named driver she will be ok and she will have to sign a form on the day stating it.

Its handy having a girlfriend who is a driving instructor

[SamHH]

Yes, I did my test in my own car one year ago. No special insurance is required. There are, however, some requirements for the vehicle, as described in the Directgov web link posted above.

[BCA]

topless_mx5 said:

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but I wonder what the most expensive car anyone has taken a test in is. I heard once of someone doing it in a Ferrari 360, anyone top that?

Steve Sutcliffe did it in a Diablo 6.0VT I believe - and failed... they dont allow two seaters any more IIRC, though my instructors face went pale when I suggested the Cerbera was a four seater...

[SamHH]

BCA said:

Steve Sutcliffe did it in a Diablo 6.0VT I believe - and failed... they dont allow two seaters any more IIRC, though my instructors face went pale when I suggested the Cerbera was a four seater...

I've never heard of any requirement for more than two seats. Where did you hear this?

[H_Kan]

The link has some issues with convertibles and cars which don't offer ok rear visibility but don't specifically prohibit 2 seaters.

I see you do need an interior mirror. Does the one on the sunvisor count? I don't seem to recall anything like that in my instructors car.

EFA

Edited by H_Kan on Wednesday 16th January 19:42

[oggs]

SamHH said:

BCA said:

they dont allow two seaters any more IIRC

I've never heard of any requirement for more than two seats. Where did you hear this?

In case the examiner is being examined.

Didn't Tom Hartleys son take his test in a 550/575 a couple of years back.

[paoloh]

I had this thought the other day on this exact issue. Take your test in say a new M5 which is a manual (SMG) Hill starts= car does it for you. Clutch control=car does it for you. Can the tester say anything?

[SamHH]

H_Kan said:

Are you sure about the extra mirror? I don't recall anything being in my instructors car that was extra apart from the dual controls.

It is a requirement. See the Directgov link.

[flx]

I could have taken mine the other day in my Dads Grand Cherokee - I would have loved to have seen the examiners face! (Even though it is an Auto!!)

ETC - Spelling Mistake

Edited by flx on Wednesday 16th January 19:43

[crofty1984]

I think it needs a passenger headrest and a rear view mirror for the instructor.

[jamoor]

paoloh said:

I had this thought the other day on this exact issue. Take your test in say a new M5 which is a manual (SMG) Hill starts= car does it for you. Clutch control=car does it for you. Can the tester say anything?

As long as the car has a clutch pedal, it counts as a manual.

Regarding the of your own car, I thkn there are a few things required, I remember a head restraint bieng one of them which seemed unusual compared to the rest of them.

[Jasandjules]

I did mine in my own car. Don't think I had anything special done to the car, it was a 1982 Fiesta and it was taxed and MOT'd and insured. Can't say I even considered anything else.