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Category B - cars and vans

The car or van you use for your test must be:

• a four-wheeled vehicle of no more than 3,500 kilograms (kg) maximum authorised mass (MAM)
• capable of a speed of at least 62.5 miles per hour (mph) or 100 kilometres per hour (km/h)
• fitted with a speedometer that measures speed in mph
• displaying L-plates ('L' or 'D' plates in Wales) on the front and rear, but not interfering with the driver's or examiner's view
• a smoke-free environment

The vehicle must also be fitted with:

• a seatbelt for the examiner
• a passenger head restraint – it doesn’t need to be adjustable, but must be an integral part of the seat - 'slip on' types aren't allowed
• an interior mirror for the examiner's use

The vehicle must be legal and roadworthy and have no warning lights showing - for example, the airbag warning light.

Why some cars and vans aren't suitable for driving tests

Most hatchbacks, saloons and estate cars are suitable for the driving test. However, some models with good forward vision have large blind spots to the rear, giving examiners problems with observation.

Vehicles used for tests must allow examiners all-round vision to see approaching vehicles. This is particularly important when:

• the car is at an angle to other vehicles during reversing manoeuvres
• emerging at a junction with the vehicle at an angle to the major road

Convertible vehicles

You cannot use some convertible vehicles for the driving test because of the lack of all-round vision for the examiner. If you want to use a convertible vehicle for your test, check that it's suitable when you book.

Panel vans

Panel vans usually don't give the examiner all-round vision, and usually cannot be used for driving tests.

Vehicles supplied by motor manufacturers have been through an approval process that looks at vehicles from a driver’s point of view. It doesn't necessarily make it suitable for a driving test.

Vehicle recalls and safety notices

Vehicles are sometimes not suitable for a practical driving test because they are subject to a manufacturer recall, or because they have a fault that requires manufacturer or dealer correction.

In these circumstances, these vehicles are not suitable for a practical driving test. However, it can be used if you can provide documentary evidence from a dealer, or the vehicle manufacturer, to prove that the vehicle meets one of the criteria below:

•  the recall work has been carried out
•  the vehicle has been checked and no work is necessary
•  the vehicle is exempt from the recall work

• Check to see if the vehicle you intend to use on a driving test is affected

Category B1

A motor-powered tricycle or quadricycle must have an unladen weight of not more than 550 kg and be capable of at least 37.25 mph (60 km/h).

To ride a quadricycle you will need to hold a category B (car) licence or a B1 licence.

Category B + E

Car and trailer test vehicles must be an unladen category B vehicle towing a suitably braked, unladen trailer of at least one tonne MAM. The examiner may ask for evidence of the trailer MAM – for example, the manufacturer's plate.

The vehicle must also be fitted with:

• externally mounted, nearside and offside mirrors for use by the examiner or any person supervising the test
• an audible or visual device to indicate correct operation of the trailer indicators

All vehicle combinations must operate on appropriate brakes and use a coupling arrangement suitable for the weight.

The cargo compartment of the trailer must consist of a closed box body which is at least as wide and as high as the towing vehicle. The trailer may be slightly less wide than the towing vehicle, but the view to the rear must be by the use of external mirrors only.

The view to the rear should only be possible by use of the external rear-view mirrors of the towing vehicle.