THE 5 CARS THAT ARE BANNED FROM DRIVING TESTS - PLUS THE RULES YOUR CAR MUST MEET

Five car models are not allowed for UK driving tests, and over 6,000 learner drivers failed because their vehicles weren't suitable. Failing to obey the rules can mean cancelling your test and losing money.

Unfortunately, many learners couldn't pass the driving test due to incorrect cars. It wasn't just about which type of car they had, explained Graham Conway from Select Car Leasing.

He said, "It's hard not to feel sorry for some of these candidates, when you bear in mind how nerve-wracking the practical driving test is. Having paid out hundreds of pounds on lessons, and with a burning desire to get the freedom that comes with having a full licence, many learners are desperate to get the thumbs-up from the examiner. But while your vehicle breaking down or being involved in a collision - as long as it wasn't your fault - would seem unfortunate, there are other aspects that are not so understandable."

According to the UK government, your car must meet several criteria for the driving test. An acceptable car for a test needs to be taxed, have a current MOT if over three years old, insured for taking a test, clean, tidy, and free from smoke.

Cars fitted with a dashcam are fine, and learners can take the test in manual, automatic, semi-automatic cars or even hire cars with dual controls as long it meets all the rules, reports Wales Online.

The government says in order to take your test, your car must:

• have no warning lights showing
• have no tyre damage and meet the legal tread depth on each tyre
• be roadworthy
• be fitted with an extra interior rear-view mirror for the examiner
• be fitted with a passenger seatbelt and a passenger head restraint for the examiner (slip-on types are not allowed)
• be able to reach at least 62mph and have an mph speedometer
• be fitted with L-plates (‘L’ or ‘D’ plates in Wales) on the front and rear
• have four wheels and weight no more than 3,500kg

However, a few car models aren't acceptable for driving tests:

• BMW Mini convertible
• Ford KA convertible
• Smart Fortwo (2-door)
• Toyota iQ
• VW Beetle convertible

This is because they do not give the examiner all-round vision. There might also be other cars that you cannot use, if they do not give the examiner all-round vision.

2024-03-05T13:45:54Z dg43tfdfdgfd