Historic (classic) vehicles: MOT and vehicle tax

Eligibility

The date your vehicle was built or first registered affects whether you need to:

get an MOT

pay vehicle tax

Vehicles that do not need an MOT

You do not need to get an MOT if:

the vehicle was built or first registered more than 40 years ago

no ‘substantial changes’ have been made to the vehicle in the last 30 years, for example replacing the chassis, body, axles or engine to change the way the vehicle works

If you’re not sure if there have been any substantial changes you can:

read the full guidance on MOT exemptions for historic vehicles

speak to a historic vehicle expert

Vehicles exempt from vehicle tax

If your vehicle was built before 1 January 1981, you can stop paying vehicle tax from 1 April 2021.

If you do not know when your vehicle was built, but it was registered before 8 January 1981, you do not need to pay vehicle tax from 1 April 2021.

What you have to do

You must apply for a vehicle tax exemption to stop paying vehicle tax. This is sometimes called putting a vehicle into the ‘historic tax class’.

You do not have to apply to stop getting an MOT for your vehicle each year. However, you must still keep it in a roadworthy condition.

You can be fined up to £2,500 and get 3 penalty points for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

Historic vehicle tax exemption

You can apply to stop paying for vehicle tax from 1 April 2021 if your vehicle was built before 1 January 1981. You must tax your vehicle even if you do not have to pay.

If you do not know when your vehicle was built, but it was first registered before 8 January 1981, you can still apply to stop paying vehicle tax.

Your vehicle will not be exempt from vehicle tax if:

it’s used for hire or reward (for example, it’s used as a taxi for paying customers)

it’s used commercially for a trade or business

Contact DVLA if you’re not sure if your vehicle is exempt.

Eligible vehicles

You can apply for these vehicles to be made exempt:

cars

vans

motorcycles

tricycles

Large vehicles and buses

private heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) - they cannot be designed or adapted for transporting goods, or be used for driver training

buses used for voluntary or community purposes

Specialist vehicles

You can also apply for these vehicles to be made exempt:

mobile cranes and pumps

road rollers, works trucks and digging machines

agricultural machines and mowing machines

snowploughs and gritting vehicles

electric vehicles

steam vehicles

Apply for a vehicle tax exemption

Apply at a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax.

You need to take:

the log book (V5C) in your name

your vehicle tax reminder letter (V11), if you have one

an MOT certificate that’s valid when the tax starts, or evidence if your vehicle’s exempt from an MOT (V112)

an insurance certificate or cover note (only in Northern Ireland)

If you do not have the log book, download and fill in an application for a log book (V62). Take it to the Post Office with the £25 fee.

What happens next

The Post Office sends your log book to DVLA.

DVLA will send you an updated log book.

You’ll get a refund (if you’re due one). It will take longer than usual to get your refund because of coronavirus (COVID-19). Contact DVLA if you have not got your refund within 6 weeks of getting your updated log book.

You can still use your vehicle while your application is being processed.

Renewing your historic vehicle's vehicle tax

DVLA will send you a vehicle tax reminder letter before your tax is due to expire. You’ll need to tax your vehicle, but will not need to pay.

It’s illegal to drive your vehicle if you have not taxed it. You can be fined £80 if you do not tax your vehicle on time.


Change your vehicle's tax class

Vehicle changes that affect tax

If you make changes to your vehicle it could affect:

how much vehicle tax you pay

your vehicle’s tax class

Changes that affect your vehicle include:

the engine size (cc)

the fuel type

the weight (goods vehicles only)

the number of seats (buses only)

what you use the vehicle for, for example using a minibus for profit

You will not have to pay vehicle tax or will pay a lower rate if it’s being used by:

a disabled person

an organisation providing transport for disabled people

How to change your vehicle’s tax class

How you change your vehicle’s tax class depends on if:

the tax is due to run out (you’ve had a reminder or ‘last chance’ warning letter)

the tax is not due to run out

you’re changing whether or not the vehicle is exempt from vehicle tax, for example changing a car into or out of the disabled tax class

Work out the new tax rate

You need to work out if you’ll need to pay more tax because of the change.

Find out the new rate of vehicle tax.

Work out the difference between the old and new rates of your vehicle tax. For example, if the old rate is £100 and the new rate is £130, the difference is £30.

Divide the difference by the number of months you pay your tax over. For example, £30 divided by 12 months is £2.50.

Multiply this by the number of months remaining on the tax. For example, £2.50 multiplied by 4 months is £10.

Pay the extra vehicle tax. In this example you would need to pay £10 extra tax.

If the tax rate increases

You have to pay the increased rate from the first day of the month you change the tax rate in.

If the tax rate decreases

You pay the decreased rate from the first day of the next month.

Tax is not due to run out

Use form V70 to change your vehicle’s tax class if the tax is not due to run out.

You apply a different way if you’ve had a reminder letter or ‘last chance’ warning letter.

What to send

Send the form to DVLA with:

the V5C vehicle registration certificate (log book) with any changes marked on it

a cheque or postal order made payable to ‘DVLA, Swansea’ for any extra vehicle tax you have to pay - damaged or altered cheques will not be accepted

a current MOT certificate (if your vehicle needs one)

written proof if you’ve decreased engine size or changed fuel type, for example a new engine receipt or letter from the garage that made the change

an insurance certificate or cover note (only in Northern Ireland)

If you do not have the V5C, download and fill in a V62 form. Send it to DVLA with the £25 fee.

Lorries and buses

You also need to send the following if they’re required for your vehicle:

a plating or weight certificate

for buses only - a certificate of initial fitness, certificate of conformity or equivalent PSV401, PSV408, PDV500 or PSV506

What happens next

You’ll get a confirmation from DVLA that the change has been made.

DVLA will send you an updated V5C.

You’ll get a refund if you’re due one. It will take longer than usual to send your refund because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

You can still use your vehicle while your application is being processed.

Tax is due to run out or changing if the vehicle is exempt

Change your vehicle’s tax class at a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax if either:

the vehicle tax is due to run out (you’ve had a reminder or ‘last chance’ warning letter)

you’re changing whether a vehicle is exempt from vehicle tax or not, for example, it’s being used by a disabled person

If you’re eligible for a vehicle tax reduction because you’re disabled, you need to apply by post to DVLA.

What to take to the Post Office

Vehicle registration documents

Take the V5C registration certificate (log book) in your name.

If you do not have one, you’ll need:

a completed application for a new registration certificate - either download form V62 or get it from the Post Office

your ‘new keeper’ slip, if you’ve just bought the vehicle

A new registration certificate is free if you have a ‘new keeper’ slip. Otherwise the cost is £25.

Other documents

You must also take:

your vehicle tax reminder letter (V11) if you have one

an MOT certificate that’s valid when the tax starts, or evidence if your vehicle’s exempt from an MOT (V112)

evidence of any eligibility for a disability exemption

payment for vehicle tax (if you have to pay for your new tax class)

If you drive a lorry or bus, you also need to take the vehicle’s latest annual test certificate or exemption (V112G).

What happens next

The Post Office sends your V5C, new keeper slip or V62 to DVLA.

DVLA will send you an updated V5C.

DVLA will send you a refund if you’re due one. It will take longer than usual to send your refund because of coronavirus (COVID-19).


Getting an MOT

When to get an MOT

The MOT test checks that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards.

You must get an MOT for your vehicle by either:

the third anniversary of its registration

the anniversary of its last MOT, if it’s over 3 years old

Some vehicles need to be tested at one year old - check the MOT fees table to see which.

Find out how to check your MOT expiry date.

There are different rules and processes in Northern Ireland for MOTs for vehicles registered in Northern Ireland.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting an MOT

You need to get an MOT for your vehicle as usual.

Do not take your vehicle to an MOT centre in person if:

you or someone you live with has coronavirus symptoms

you’ve been told by the NHS Test and Trace service that you’ve been in contact with someone who has coronavirus

you’re self-isolating because you recently entered the UK

If you cannot take your vehicle in person

Some MOT centres will collect your vehicle for the MOT and then return it. Contact an MOT centre to see if this service is available.

You can also get someone else to take your vehicle into a test centre if you insure them on your vehicle.

If you cannot get your vehicle collected or taken in for you, you must wait until you’re no longer self-isolating to take it into a test centre.

If the MOT has run out

If your tax is due to run out, register your vehicle as ‘off the road’ - you cannot renew your vehicle tax if your MOT has expired.

Book an MOT test.

Tax your vehicle once it has passed its MOT.

You cannot drive or park your vehicle on the road if the MOT has run out. You can be prosecuted if caught.

The only exceptions are to drive it:

to or from somewhere to be repaired

to a pre-arranged MOT test

Earliest date you can get an MOT

An MOT lasts for a year. The date it runs out is printed on your current MOT pass certificate.

You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving a vehicle without a valid MOT.

You can get an MOT up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out and keep the same renewal date.

You can get an MOT earlier, but the renewal date for the following year will change to one year (minus a day) from the date the vehicle last passed its MOT.

Booking an MOT

You must use an approved MOT test centre to get your MOT.

Only centres showing the blue sign with 3 white triangles can carry out your MOT.

How you can book

Contact an MOT centre to book an MOT.

There are maximum fees that the MOT centre can charge.

There’s a different process to book an MOT in Northern Ireland.

MOT costs

There’s a maximum amount MOT test stations can charge. This depends on the type of vehicle.

The maximum fee for a car is £54.85 and £29.65 for a standard motorcycle.

You do not pay VAT on the fee.

| Vehicle class | Age first MOT needed (years) | Maximum MOT fee

Motorcycle (engine size up to 200cc) | 1 | 3 | £29.65

Motorcycle with sidecar (engine size up to 200cc) | 1 | 3 | £37.80

Motorcycle (engine size over 200cc) | 2 | 3 | £29.65

Motorcycle with sidecar (engine size over 200cc) | 2 | 3 | £37.80

3-wheeled vehicles (up to 450kg unladen weight) | 3 | 3 | £37.80

3-wheeled vehicles (over 450kg unladen weight) | 4 | 3 | £54.85

Cars (up to 8 passenger seats) | 4 | 3 | £54.85

Motor caravans | 4 | 3 | £54.85

Quads (max unladen weight 400kg - for goods vehicles 550kg and max net power of 15kw) | 4 | 3 | £54.85

Dual purpose vehicles | 4 | 3 | £54.85

Private hire and public service vehicles (up to 8 seats) | 4 | 3 | £54.85

Ambulances and taxis | 4 | 1 | £54.85

Private passenger vehicles and ambulances (9 to 12 passenger seats) | 4 | 1 | £57.30

Goods vehicles (up to 3,000kg design gross weight) | 4 | 3 | £54.85

Class 4 vehicles (9 to 12 passenger seats) with a seat belt installation check | 4a | n/a | £64

Private passenger vehicles and ambulances (13 to 16 passenger seats) | 5 | 1 | £59.55

Private passenger vehicles and ambulances (more than 16 passenger seats) | 5 | 1 | £80.65

Playbuses | 5 | 1 | £80.65

Class 5 vehicles (13 to 16 passenger seats) with a seatbelt installation check | 5a | n/a | £80.50

Class 5 vehicles (more than 16 passenger seats) with a seatbelt installation check | 5a | n/a | £124.50

Goods vehicles (over 3,000kg up to 3,500kg design gross weight) | 7 | 3 | £58.60

How the MOT test works

During the MOT, important parts on your vehicle will be checked to make sure they meet the legal standards.

You can watch the test from a viewing area but you’re not allowed to interrupt the tester.

Parts that are tested

You can read more about what’s tested for cars and motorcycles.

The test does not cover the condition of the engine, clutch or gearbox.

The MOT guide and inspection manuals tell you everything that’s tested.

MOT test result

Your vehicle can either pass or fail the MOT.

Passing the MOT

If your vehicle passes the MOT:

you’ll get an MOT certificate from the test centre

it will be recorded in the MOT database

You might also get a list of ‘minor’ or ‘advisory’ problems to monitor or fix in the future.

Failing the MOT

Your vehicle will fail if the test result lists ‘dangerous’ or ‘major’ problems with your vehicle. You might not be allowed to drive until you fix the problems.

If your vehicle fails the MOT:

you’ll get a ‘refusal of an MOT test certificate’ from the test centre

it will be recorded in the MOT database

You can appeal the result if you think it’s wrong.

Driving a vehicle that’s failed

You can take your vehicle away if:

your current MOT certificate is still valid

no ‘dangerous’ problems were listed in the MOT

Otherwise, you’ll need to get it repaired before you can drive.

If you can take your vehicle away, it must still meet the minimum standards of roadworthiness at all times.

You can be fined up to £2,500, be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points for driving a vehicle that has failed its MOT because of a ‘dangerous’ problem.

Retest after a repair

In some cases your vehicle can have a partial retest for free or a reduced MOT fee.

Leaving your vehicle for repair

You only need a partial retest if you leave the vehicle at the test centre for repair and it’s retested within 10 working days. There’s no fee for this.

Taking your vehicle away for repairs

You can take your vehicle away if your MOT certificate is still valid.

If your MOT has run out you can take your vehicle to:

have the failed defects fixed

a pre-arranged MOT test appointment

In both cases, your vehicle still needs to meet the minimum standards of roadworthiness at all times or you can be fined.

Taking it back for a retest the next working day

You will not have to pay again if you take it back to the same test centre before the end of the next working day for a partial retest on one or more of these items:

access panels

battery

bonnet

bootlid

brake pedal antislip

break glass hammer (class 5 vehicles only)

doors (including hinges, catches and pillars)

door open warning device (class 5 vehicles only)

dropsides

electrical wiring

emergency exits and signs (class 5 vehicles only)

entrance door remote control (class 5 vehicles only)

entrance/exit steps (class 5 vehicles only)

fuel filler cap

headlamp cleaning or levelling devices (that does not need a headlamp aim check)

horn

lamps (excluding headlamp aim)

loading door

main beam ‘tell-tale’

mirrors

rear reflectors

registration plates

seatbelts (but not anchorages), seatbelt load limiter and seatbelt pre-tensioner

seats

sharp edges or projections

stairs (class 5 vehicles only)

steering wheel

tailboard

tailgate

trailer electrical sockets

towbars (excluding body around anchorage points)

tyre pressure monitoring system

vehicle identification number (VIN)

windscreen glass, wipers and washers

wheels and tyres (excluding motorcycles and motorcycles with sidecar)

Taking it back for a retest within 10 working days

You’ll only need a partial retest if you take the vehicle from the test centre for repairs and take it back within 10 working days.  You can be charged a partial retest fee for this.

In all other cases, you’ll need to get a full retest and pay the full MOT test fee again.

Test result appeals and problems

You can appeal an MOT test failure or complain to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if you think your vehicle should not have passed.

You can take your own action against an MOT test centre through Trading Standards, personal legal proceedings or reporting the centre to the police. DVSA cannot help you take action against a centre.

Appeal if your vehicle failed an MOT

You need to discuss your test results with the test centre before anyone starts repairs.

You can appeal against the failure if you think it’s wrong.  Fill in the complaint form and send it to DVSA within 14 working days of the test.

DVSA will contact you within 5 days to discuss your appeal.

If DVSA decides to recheck your vehicle, you’ll need to arrange a date and pay the full test fee again. They’ll send you an inspection report listing any vehicle defects.

You should not have any repairs made until the appeal process has finished.

If you think your car has passed when it should not have

You’ll need to complain to DVSA if you do not think your car should have passed its MOT. Fill in the complaint form and send it to DVSA within the time limits below.

DVSA will contact you within 5 days to discuss your complaint.

If DVSA decides to recheck your vehicle, you’ll need to arrange a date. You will not need to pay the test fee again. They’ll send you an inspection report listing any vehicle defects.

Time limits

If your vehicle passed, you need to complain within:

within 3 months of the MOT if it’s a corrosion-related problem

within 28 days has passed for other defects

If you think your MOT certificate is not genuine

You can check that your MOT certificate is genuine by checking its MOT status.

If you’re unhappy with your MOT service

Contact DVSA if you’re not happy with your MOT service.

Vehicles that do not need an MOT

You do not need to get an MOT for a vehicle until it reaches the age shown in the MOT fees table.

Exempt vehicles

Other vehicles that do not need an MOT include:

goods vehicles powered by electricity and registered before 1 March 2015

tractors

some historic (‘classic’) vehicles

A list of exempt types of vehicles is on the MOT exemption form (V112). You need to fill in the form if your vehicle is listed so that you can either tax it or apply for tax exemption.

Lorries, buses and trailers

You must get an annual test for lorries, buses and trailers instead of an MOT. It’s sometimes called the ‘annual vehicle test’.

Fix mistakes on your MOT certificate

You can get information corrected on your MOT certificate (such as the mileage or vehicle details) if it’s wrong.

Get the wrong mileage corrected

The way you get the mileage corrected depends on when your MOT was.

Your MOT was less than 28 days ago

Ask the MOT centre to check the mileage. They’ll give you a replacement certificate if the mileage is wrong.

Your MOT was more than 28 days ago

Report the mistake to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to get it corrected.

You also need to email proof of the mileage, such as a scan or photo of:

an invoice for the MOT

an emissions printout

a service receipt

a vehicle job card from the MOT centre

They need to show what the mileage should be, and show the same date as the MOT test.

If your scan or photo includes personal information, for example your payment details, you should blank it out or remove it.

If you do not send the right evidence, DVSA will not fix the mistakes.

Once DVSA has updated the mileage, you can check your vehicle’s MOT history and download or print a corrected MOT certificate.

Get vehicle details or the MOT centre corrected

Contact DVSA if your MOT certificate has the wrong:

vehicle make or model

vehicle colour

country where the vehicle was registered

MOT test centre

Add or remove test records

If there’s an MOT test missing from your vehicle’s MOT history, or a test that does not belong there, email or call DVSA to have it corrected.

You’ll need to give your:

name

telephone number

vehicle number plate

vehicle make and model

date of the MOT

MOT test number (if you know it)

MOT test centre name and address


Vehicle insurance

Overview

You must have motor insurance to drive your vehicle on UK roads.

Third party insurance is the legal minimum. This means you’re covered if you have an accident causing damage or injury to any other person, vehicle, animal or property. It does not cover any other costs like repair to your own vehicle.

You may want to use an insurance broker.

If you’re in an accident

If you have an accident causing damage or injury you must give the following to anyone with ‘reasonable grounds for requiring them’, for example an insurance company:

your name and address

the vehicle registration number

You also need to give the owner’s name and address if the vehicle is not yours.

You must report the accident to the police within 24 hours if you do not give your details at the time of the accident.

You must also report the accident to your insurance company, even if you’re not planning to make a claim.

Accidents with uninsured motorists

You should tell the police if you have an accident with someone who’s not insured.

Your insurance company will also be able to give you more advice.

You might also be able to get compensation if you’re the victim of an uninsured or hit and run driver.

Driving abroad

If you’re driving in most European countries

All UK vehicle insurance provides the minimum third party cover to drive in:

the EU (including Ireland)

Andorra

Iceland

Liechtenstein

Norway

Serbia

Switzerland

Check with your insurer if your policy has extra cover for things like theft or damage to your car abroad.

You also need to carry a physical copy of a ‘green card’ to drive your vehicle in these countries.

If you’re driving in the rest of the world

You may need to carry a green card to prove you have the minimum insurance cover required by the country you’re driving in.

You may also need additional insurance for your vehicle, trailer or caravan. Check the travel advice for the country you’re going to.

Getting a green card from your insurer

A green card is proof that you have vehicle insurance when driving abroad.

Contact your insurer to get one for your vehicle. They’ll either:

post you a green card - allow up to 6 weeks

tell you how to download a green card to print yourself

You will need to carry extra green cards if:

you’re towing a trailer or caravan (one for the towing vehicle and one for the trailer or caravan)

you have 2 insurance policies covering your trip (one card for each policy)

you have multi-car or fleet insurance (one for each vehicle on the policy)

Showing your green card when driving abroad

You must show your green card if you’re involved in an accident.

You may have to show your green card:

at the border when moving between countries

if you’re stopped by the police

Uninsured vehicles

Rules in England, Wales and Scotland

You must have motor insurance for your vehicle if you use it on roads and in public places.

You do not need to insure your vehicle if it is kept off the road and declared as off the road (SORN). This rule is called ‘continuous insurance enforcement’.

If not, you could:

get a fixed penalty of £100

have your vehicle wheel-clamped, impounded or destroyed

face a court prosecution, with a possible maximum fine of £1,000

It does not matter who is driving the car - if you’re the registered keeper, you could get penalised.

You will also still have to pay for your insurance on top of any fines received.

You can check if your vehicle is insured on askMID.

Motor traders - exceptions

If a vehicle is between registered keepers or registered as ‘in trade’ with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), it is excluded from continuous insurance enforcement.

Vehicles you keep for your own use are not excluded.

Rules in Northern Ireland

There are different rules for vehicle insurance in Northern Ireland.

Driving without insurance

It’s illegal to drive a vehicle on a road or in a public place without at least 3rd party insurance.

Even if the vehicle itself is insured, if you’re not correctly insured to drive it you could get penalised.

Penalties for uninsured drivers:

The police could give you a fixed penalty of £300 and 6 penalty points if you’re caught driving a vehicle you’re not insured to drive.

If the case goes to court you could get:

an unlimited fine

disqualified from driving

The police also have the power to seize, and in some cases, destroy the vehicle that’s being driven uninsured.


Scrapping your vehicle and insurance write-offs

How to scrap your vehicle

When your vehicle has reached the end of its usefulness, you must get it scrapped at an authorised treatment facility (ATF). These are sometimes known as a scrapyard or breaker’s yard.

There’s a different process if your vehicle is an insurance write-off.

Scrap your vehicle without keeping any parts

Apply to take the registration number off the vehicle if you want to keep it.

Scrap your vehicle at an ATF. This is usually free.

Give the ATF the vehicle log book (V5C), but keep the yellow ‘sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade’ section from it.

Tell DVLA you’ve taken your vehicle to an ATF.

You can be fined £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA.

Scrap your vehicle and keep parts from it

You can take parts from your vehicle before you scrap it so you can use them to repair another vehicle.

Tell DVLA the vehicle is off the road while you’re taking parts from it. It must be kept off the road, for example in a garage, on a drive or on private land.

Scrap your vehicle at an ATF when you’ve finished taking parts from it. The ATF can charge a fee if you’ve removed essential parts, such as the engine, gearbox, bodywork or wheels.

Give the ATF the vehicle log book (V5C), but keep the yellow ‘sell, transfer or part-exchange’ section from it.

Scrap a vehicle that’s registered abroad

If you want to scrap a vehicle from another country in the UK, you must use an ATF.

You’ll get a ‘Certificate of Destruction’ to prove that the vehicle has been destroyed.

It’s your responsibility to tell the driving authority in the country where the vehicle is registered that it has been scrapped.

Where you can scrap your vehicle

Find an authorised treatment facility (ATF) where your vehicle can be scrapped.

When the ATF has your vehicle, they can decide to:

completely scrap it

repair and sell it themselves

It’s illegal to scrap your vehicle anywhere else.

If your vehicle is completely scrapped

The ATF will give you a ‘certificate of destruction’ within 7 days if you’ve scrapped a:

car

light van

3-wheeled motor vehicle (but not a motor tricycle)

You will not get a certificate for other types of vehicle.

The certificate is proof that you’ve handed over the vehicle for scrap. If you do not have it, you could still be liable for:

traffic offence penalties

vehicle tax

Being paid for your scrapped vehicle

The ATF will pay you the scrap value of your vehicle.

It’s illegal to be paid in cash if your vehicle is scrapped in England or Wales. You have to be paid by bank transfer or cheque.

If the ATF repairs and sells your vehicle

You will not get a certificate of destruction if the ATF decides to repair and sell your vehicle.

You can be paid for your vehicle by any method, including cash.

Insurance write-offs

When you make an insurance claim because your vehicle is damaged, your insurance company will tell you:

if your vehicle is being ‘written off’

how much they’ll pay you

When your vehicle is written off, your insurance company pays you the current value of the vehicle, instead of the cost of repairing it.

Your insurance company will decide if the vehicle should be written off or not.

Write-off categories

What you do next depends on which category your vehicle is in.

Category | Repairing the vehicle | Using the vehicle

A | Cannot be repaired | Entire vehicle has to be crushed

B | Cannot be repaired | Body shell has to be crushed, but you can salvage other parts from it

C | Can be repaired, but it would cost more than the vehicle’s worth | You can use the vehicle again if it’s repaired to a roadworthy condition

D | Can be repaired and would cost less than the vehicle’s worth, but other costs (such as transporting your vehicle) take it over the vehicle’s value | You can use the vehicle again if it’s repaired to a roadworthy condition

N | Can be repaired following non-structural damage | You can use the vehicle again if it’s repaired to a roadworthy condition

S | Can be repaired following structural damage | You can use the vehicle again if it’s repaired to a roadworthy condition

What you need to do

Your insurance company will usually deal with getting the vehicle scrapped for you. You need to follow these steps.

Send the vehicle log book (V5C) to your insurance company, but keep the yellow ‘sell, transfer or part-exchange your vehicle to the motor trade’ section from it.

Tell DVLA your vehicle has been written off.

Keeping the vehicle

If you want to keep a vehicle in category C, D, N or S, the insurance company will give you an insurance payout and sell the vehicle back to you.

To keep a category C or S vehicle, you also need to:

send the complete log book to your insurance company

apply for a free duplicate log book using form V62

DVLA will record the vehicle’s category in the log book.

You can keep the log book if you want to keep a category D or N vehicle.


Pass Plus

Overview

Pass Plus is a practical training course that takes at least 6 hours and is for drivers to improve their skills and drive more safely.

It can be taken at any time although it should be most useful to new drivers in the year after passing their test.

You’ll need a Pass Plus registered approved driving instructor (ADI) to teach you.

It may help you get a car insurance discount if you successfully complete the course.

Booking Pass Plus

You need to book Pass Plus with an approved driving instructor (ADI) who is registered with Pass Plus.

You can contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to check if an instructor is registered with Pass Plus. You’ll need their name and ADI number.

Fees

Pass Plus fees depend on where you live, the instructor or driving school and how long your training takes.

Some local councils can offer discounts off the full Pass Plus training costs.

Local councils offering discounts

Contact your borough, town, city or county council if they are listed to see if they can help you with the cost of your training.

You must live in the council’s area to be eligible for the discount.

East Midlands

North-west

South-east

South-west

Scotland

Wales

All local councils in Wales offer discounted Pass Plus courses. Go to Pass Plus Cymru for more information.

How Pass Plus training works

Pass Plus training takes at least 6 hours. It has 6 modules, covering driving:

in town

in all weathers

on rural roads

at night

on dual carriageways

on motorways

All modules should be practical sessions, although local conditions may mean some are theory based. You’ll normally spend at least 5.5 hours driving.

You will not take a test but you’ll be assessed throughout the course. To pass you’ll have to reach the required standard in all modules.

Contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Pass Plus team for more information.

Apply for a Pass Plus certificate

You must apply for your own Pass Plus certificate if you want one.

You need a certificate if you want a discount on your car insurance.

You’ll get a training report form from your instructor when you’ve reached the required standard in all modules. You and your instructor must sign the form.

Contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Pass Plus team to apply for your certificate.

Car insurance discounts

Once you’ve completed Pass Plus you may be able to get a car insurance discount. You’ll need your Pass Plus certificate.

Check with insurers that you can still get a discount if you passed your practical driving test more than a year ago.

The amount of discount depends on the insurance company. Not all insurers offer Pass Plus discounts.

You might be able to put the discount on hold for up to 2 years if you do not have a car at the moment - check with the insurance company first.


Driving lessons and learning to drive

Overview

You can apply for a provisional driving licence when you’re 15 years and 9 months old.

You can start driving a car when you’re 17.

You can drive a car when you are 16 if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Check which vehicles you can learn to drive.

Learning to drive during coronavirus (COVID-19)

You can take driving lessons anywhere in the UK.

You and any passengers should wear a face covering, unless you’re exempt.

In Scotland, you can be fined if you do not wear a face covering during a driving lesson.

Check the rules for practising with friends and family.

If you’re learning to drive in Scotland

You and the person teaching you to drive must wear face coverings during driving lessons and practice sessions in Scotland.

If you do not wear a face covering, you must have a good reason, for example:

you have a physical or mental illness, impairment or disability

wearing it would cause you severe distress

you and the person teaching you live in the same household

Wearing glasses does not count as a good reason.

You can be fined £60 if you do not wear a face covering during a driving lesson in Scotland. This will be reduced to £30 if you pay within 28 days.

Rules for learning to drive

You must have a provisional driving licence for Great Britain or Northern Ireland when you’re learning to drive or ride.

You must be supervised when you’re learning to drive a car. This can be by a driving instructor or someone else who meets the rules, for example family or friends.

The car you learn in must display ‘L’ plates.

You can drive at any time, day and night.

You can only drive on motorways if all of the following apply:

you’re driving in England, Scotland or Wales

you’re with an approved driving instructor

the car is fitted with dual controls

Speed limits

In England, Scotland and Wales the speed limits when driving with ‘L’ plates are the same as when you’ve passed your test.

In Northern Ireland the speed limit is 45 miles per hour when you’re learning to drive a car.

Taking driving lessons

Anyone you pay to teach you to drive must be either:

a qualified and approved driving instructor (ADI)

a trainee driving instructor

You can find your nearest driving instructors.

There are different rules in Northern Ireland for choosing an instructor.

Instructors set their own prices for driving lessons - there’s no minimum or maximum cost.

Check your instructor’s badge

Instructors have to display a badge in their windscreen to prove they’re registered with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). They display:

a green badge if they’re a qualified driving instructor

a pink badge if they’re a trainee

You can report someone to DVSA if they charge for driving lessons and are not a qualified driving instructor or trainee.

Driving lessons

There’s no minimum number of lessons you must have or hours you must practise driving.

How many lessons you need will depend on how quickly you learn. You can download a form to record your progress with your instructor.

You can complain about a driving instructor if you’re not happy with their service or behaviour.

Practising with family or friends

In England, you can practice driving with family or friends, but this is restricted to groups of no more than 6 people, or 2 households. Follow the rules for car sharing in the coronavirus (COVID-19) travel guidance.

In Scotland, there are different rules depending on which area level you are in, but you are legally required to wear a face covering unless you are exempt. Read the guidance on driving lessons in Scotland.

In Wales, you can practice driving with people you live with or those within your support bubble. You do not need to stay in your local council area.

Anyone you practise your driving with (without paying them) must:

be over 21

be qualified to drive the type of vehicle you want to learn in, for example they must have a manual car licence if they’re supervising you in a manual car

have had their full driving licence for 3 years (from the UK, the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein)

You can be fined up to £1,000 and get up to 6 penalty points on your provisional licence if you drive without the right supervision.

It’s illegal for your friend or family member to use a mobile phone while supervising you.

Insurance

You need your own insurance as a learner driver if you’re practising in a car you own. Your family member or friend will usually be covered on this.

If you’re practising in someone else’s car, you need to make sure their insurance policy covers you as a learner driver.

Some insurance companies require the person supervising you to be over 25 years old.

You can get an unlimited fine, be banned from driving and get up to 8 penalty points for driving without insurance.

Recording your practice

You can download a form to record any practice you do without your driving instructor.

Using 'L' and 'P' plates

You must put an L plate on the front and back of your vehicle so they can be seen easily.

In Wales, you can use a D plate instead.

An L plate or D plate must:

have a red L or D on a white background

be the right size

You can get up to 6 penalty points if you do not display an L plate or if it’s not the right size.

You should take L plates off your vehicle when it’s not being used by a learner.

P plates

You can display green ‘probationary’ P plates to show that you’ve just passed your driving test. You do not have to display them. You can leave them on your vehicle for as long as you like.

In Northern Ireland you must use ‘R’ plates (restricted driver plates) for one year after you pass your test.


Theory test: cars

Booking your test

You must have a provisional driving licence to book your theory test.

There are 2 parts to the test:

multiple-choice questions

hazard perception - a video test about spotting hazards on the road

You book and take them as a single test. You must pass both parts to pass the test.

When you can take the theory test

You can take the theory test from your 17th birthday onwards.

You can take it from your 16th birthday if you get, or have applied for, the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Who needs to take the theory test

You usually need to take the theory test before you can get your full car driving licence.

You do not need to take the car theory test if you:

want to upgrade an automatic car licence to a manual one

have a category B1 driving licence (3 or 4-wheeled light vehicles) from before 1 February 2001

If you have a moped or motorcycle licence

You must pass a car theory test before taking the car driving test.

If your licence is not from Great Britain

Find out if you can drive in Great Britain (GB) with your non-GB licence without taking a theory and driving test.

Change or check your test details

You can change the date of your theory test after you’ve booked it. This includes if you cannot or do not want to attend because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

You can check your appointment details if you’ve lost your booking confirmation.

Rebook your test

Rebook your theory test if you failed your test and want to resit it. You have to choose a date at least 3 working days away.

Theory test revision and practice

You can use books and software to revise for the theory test and take practice tests.

Multiple-choice questions

The multiple-choice questions in the theory test are based on 3 books:

The Highway Code

Know your traffic signs

Driving - the essential skills

Study these to learn the rules and skills you’ll be tested on.

You can buy them from most high street and online book shops.

Take a practice test

Take a practice theory test to check how much you’ve learnt.

The questions are not used in the real test, but they are based on the same topics as the test.

Hazard perception test

To prepare for this test you can use the official guide to hazard perception.

You can buy the guide in these formats:

online for your PC or Mac

app for Apple phones and tablets

app for Android phones and tablets

You can also buy it as an interactive DVD from most high street and online book shops.

Translations into foreign languages

Some official books and software are translated into other languages by approved organisations.

However, you can only take the test in English, Welsh or British Sign Language.

What to take to your test

You must take your UK photocard driving licence to your test.

If you have a licence from Northern Ireland, bring the photocard and paper counterpart licence.

Your test will be cancelled and you will not get your money back if you do not take the right things with you.

Wearing a face covering at your test

You must wear a face covering at your test. If you do not wear one, you must have a good reason, for example:

you have a physical or mental illness, impairment or disability

wearing it would cause you severe distress

Wearing glasses does not count as a good reason.

You need to say why you cannot wear a face covering when you book your test. If you do not, and you come to your test without a face covering, your test will be cancelled.

If you’ve already booked your test and did not say that you cannot wear a face covering, contact DVSA.

When you must not go to your test

You must not go to your test if:

you or someone you live with has coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms

you’ve been told by the NHS Test and Trace service that you’ve been in contact with a person who has COVID-19

you’re self-isolating because you recently entered the UK

Change your theory test appointment for free if you need to self-isolate on the day of your test.

Lost your licence

You need to apply for a replacement driving licence if you lose yours. This could take up to 15 days to arrive.

Rearrange your test if you do not get the new licence in enough time.

If you have a paper licence

Bring a valid passport as well as your paper licence.

If you do not have a passport, you need to get a photocard licence.

Personal belongings

You will not have access to your personal items in the test room. This includes things like:

bags

earphones

mobile phones

watches

You’ll usually have to store any personal items in a locker.

If your test centre does not have lockers, you must:

turn off your phone before you enter the test centre

put your belongings in a clear plastic box that will be given to you - this must be stored under your desk during the test

The test centre staff will check if you have anything with you that could be used to cheat. Your test will not go ahead if you do not let them check.

It’s illegal to cheat at the theory test. You can be sent to prison and banned from driving.

Multiple-choice questions

You have 57 minutes to answer 50 multiple-choice questions.

Before the test starts you’ll get:

instructions on how the test works

the chance to do some practice questions to get used to the screens

How the test works

A question and several possible answers appear on a screen. You have to select the right answer.

Three of the questions are about a short video. It will show a normal driving situation, such as:

driving through a town centre

driving on a country road

The video is silent. You can watch it as many times as you like during the test.

Leaving a question

You can ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later.

Changing your answers

You can go back to any question to review and change your answer at any point.

When you’ve finished

You can finish the multiple-choice questions part when you’ve answered all of the questions. You do not have to use the full 57 minutes.

You can have a break of up to 3 minutes before the hazard perception test starts.

Hazard perception test

Before you start the hazard perception test, you’ll be shown a video about how it works.

You’ll then watch 14 video clips. The clips:

feature everyday road scenes

contain at least one ‘developing hazard’ - but one of the clips features 2 developing hazards

You get points for spotting the developing hazards as soon as they start to happen.

What a ‘developing hazard’ is

A developing hazard is something that would cause you to take action, like changing speed or direction.

How the scoring works

You can score up to 5 points for each developing hazard.

To get a high score, click the mouse as soon as you see the hazard starting to develop.

You do not lose points if you click and get it wrong. However, you will not score anything if you click continuously or in a pattern.

You only get one attempt at each clip. You cannot review or change your responses.

Pass mark and test result

You’ll get the result at the test centre after taking the theory test. You must pass both parts to pass the test.

| Pass mark | Points available

Multiple-choice questions | 43 | 50

Hazard perception | 44 | 75

If you pass

You’ll get a letter with a pass certificate number at the test centre. You need this when you book and take your driving test.

Your pass certificate number lasts for 2 years. You must pass your driving test in that time, otherwise you’ll have to pass the theory test again.

If you fail

You’ll get a letter at the test centre. It’ll tell you which parts you did not score enough points on so you know what to practise.

You must book and take the full test again, even if you passed one part this time.

You have to wait at least 3 working days before taking your test again.

If you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition

When you book your theory test you should say if you have a:

reading difficulty

disability

health condition

You have reading difficulties

You can ask to hear the test through headphones when you book your test. You can hear it in English or Welsh.

You can listen to the questions and possible answers as many times as you need to.

Other types of support

You can get other support during your theory test if you send proof that you have reading difficulties.

This can be an email, letter or report from:

a teacher or other educational professional

a doctor or medical professional

an occupational therapist

an online dyslexia screening product assured by the British Dyslexia Association

You can get:

extra time to take the test

someone to read what’s on the screen and record your answers

someone to reword the questions for you

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will select the best type of support for you.

If DVSA agrees that you need extra support, they will send you an email with:

a reference number (you will need this when you book your test)

instructions on how to book your test

Extra time to take the test

You can ask for more time to do the multiple choice questions part of the theory test.

Reading what’s on the screen and recording your answers

A member of staff at the test centre can read out the instructions and questions on the screen.

They can also record your answers to the multiple-choice questions.

This can be done by either:

listening to the member of staff through headphones while they’re in another room - they’ll be able to see what’s on your screen

the member of staff sitting near you in the test room

Rewording the questions for you

You can ask for a member of staff to reword the theory test questions to make them easier for you to understand.

The person cannot change the technical language that you need to know. But they can change the order of the sentence and other non-technical words and phrases.

You still need to answer each question yourself.

You’re deaf or have a hearing impairment

You can take the theory test in British Sign Language (BSL) if you’re deaf or have a hearing impairment.

A BSL video appears on the screen next to the questions and answers.

Take a BSL interpreter

You can have a BSL interpreter with you during the test. Contact DVSA to arrange this. You will not be charged an extra fee.

Hearing loop and lip speakers

You can arrange to have a lip speaker with you at the theory test centre or use a listening aid (hearing loop).

To use either service you’ll need to contact DVSA before your test.

Other disabilities or health conditions

Contact DVSA to discuss any other disability or health condition before you book your test.


Driving test: cars

Booking your test

You can book your driving test when you’ve passed your theory test.

You do not need to pass another theory test if you’re upgrading an automatic car licence to a manual licence.

To pass the driving test you must be able to:

drive safely in different road and traffic conditions

show that you know The Highway Code by the way you drive

The national standard for driving cars tells you everything you must be able to do to pass the test. Only take your test when you can do everything without instruction.

There’s no minimum number of lessons you must have done before you book and take your test.

Change or check your test details

You can change the date of your test after you’ve booked.

You can check the details if you’ve lost the email confirmation you were sent when you booked your test.

Rebook your test

Rebook your driving test if you failed your test and want to resit it. You have to choose a date at least 10 working days away.

What to take to your test

You must take:

your UK driving licence

your theory test pass certificate, if you have it

a face covering, unless you have a good reason not to wear one

a car - most people use their driving instructor’s, but you can use your own car if it meets the rules

Your test will be cancelled and you will not get your money back if you do not take the right things with you.

When you must not go to your test

You must not go to your test if:

you or someone you live with has coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms

you’ve been told by the NHS Test and Trace service that you’ve been in contact with a person who has COVID-19

you’re self-isolating because you recently entered the UK

Wearing a face covering

You must bring and wear a face covering for your test, unless you have a good reason not to. Good reasons are things like:

having a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability

wearing it would cause you severe distress

You need to say if you have a good reason not to wear a face covering when you book your test.

Your test will be cancelled if you come for your test without a face covering and you did not say that you could not wear one when you booked it.

You can take it off during your test if you need to avoid harm or injury.

Because of COVID-19 the car you use must have the windows open throughout the test. Wear clothing suitable for the weather.

Your driving licence

You need to apply for a replacement driving licence if you lose yours before your test. This could take up to 15 days to arrive.

Rearrange your test if you do not get the new licence in enough time.

If you do not have a photocard licence

Bring a valid passport and your paper licence.

If you have a licence from Northern Ireland

Bring the Northern Ireland photocard and paper counterpart.

If you’ve lost your theory test certificate

You do not need to get a replacement theory test certificate. Your driving examiner will check that you’ve passed your theory test before your driving test starts.

What happens during the test

There are 5 parts to the driving test:

an eyesight check

‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions

general driving ability

reversing your vehicle

independent driving

The test is the same for both manual and automatic cars.

How long the test lasts

You’ll drive for around 40 minutes.

You’ll drive for around 70 minutes if you’re taking an extended driving test because you’ve been banned from driving.

Eyesight check

You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of:

20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate

20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate

New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, such as AB51 ABC.

You’ll fail your driving test if you fail the eyesight check. The test will end.

‘Show me, tell me’ questions

You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.

You’ll be asked the:

‘tell me’ question at the start of your test, before you start driving

‘show me’ question while you’re driving

Your general driving ability

You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions, but not on motorways.

The examiner will give you directions that you should follow. Driving test routes are not published, so you cannot check them before your test.

Pulling over at the side of the road

You’ll be asked to pull over and pull away during your test, including:

normal stops at the side of the road

pulling out from behind a parked vehicle

a hill start

You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.

Reversing your vehicle

The examiner will ask you to do one of the following exercises:

parallel park at the side of the road

park in a parking bay - either by driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which you have to do)

pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic

Independent driving

You’ll have to drive for about 20 minutes by following either:

directions from a sat nav

traffic signs

The examiner will tell you which you have to follow.

They’ll set the sat nav up for you. You cannot use your own sat nav.

If you cannot see traffic signs

If you cannot see a traffic sign (for example, because it’s covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one.

Going off the route

The examiner will not give you a fault for taking a wrong turning.

They’ll help you get back on the route if you do.

If you make mistakes during your test

You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious.

Your driving examiner will direct you back to the driving test centre if the mistake you made means you’ve failed. The test will end early.

Other people at your test

Your driving examiner’s supervisor might sit in on your test to watch your examiner’s performance. If you refuse, your test can be cancelled and you’ll have to book another test and pay again.

Driving test faults and your result

There are 3 types of faults you can make:

a dangerous fault - this involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property

a serious fault - something potentially dangerous

a driving fault - this is not potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could become a serious fault

Pass mark

You’ll pass your driving test if you make:

no more than 15 driving faults (sometimes called ‘minors’)

no serious or dangerous faults (sometimes called ‘majors’)

If you pass your test

The examiner will:

tell you what faults you made, if any

give you a pass certificate

ask you if you want your full licence to be sent to you automatically - give the examiner your provisional licence if you want to do this

Apply for your full driving licence within 2 years of passing your test if you do not want to get your licence automatically.

When you can start driving

You can start driving straight away when you’ve passed your test. You do not need to wait for your full licence to arrive.

Contact DVLA if your full licence has not arrived 3 weeks after you applied for it.

If you do not pass

The examiner will tell you what faults you made.

You have to book another test and pay again. You have to choose a date at least 10 working days away.

Appeal your driving test

You can appeal your driving test if you can prove that your driving examiner did not follow the law.

Read the guidance on appealing your driving test to check if your examiner followed the law.

If you have proof they did not follow the law you can complain to the Driver and Vehicle and Standards Agency (DVSA)

If DVSA agrees with your complaint, your test result cannot be changed but you might get a refund or a free retest.

If DVSA does not agree with your complaint you may be able to appeal to a court instead.

Appeal your driving test to a court

You can appeal if you can prove that your examiner did not follow the law when they carried out your test.

Your test result cannot be changed, but you might get a refund or a free retest if your appeal is successful.

You might have to pay significant legal costs if your appeal is unsuccessful.

You’ll need to appeal within:

6 months of your driving test in England and Wales

21 days of your driving test in Scotland

Check if you can appeal.

If your test is cancelled or there's bad weather

Your driving test can be cancelled or stopped because of bad weather, problems with your car, or for other reasons.

If your test is suspended due to coronavirus (COVID-19)

You’ll be sent a new date for your test if this happens. You can change the date if it’s not suitable.

You need to have passed a theory test in the last 2 years to take your driving test. Your theory test certificate will not be extended.

Bad weather

Driving tests are not carried out in dangerous weather conditions, such as when the roads are icy or if there’s flooding, thick fog or high winds.

Call your test centre if there are any of these conditions on the day of your test.

The phone number for the test centre is on your booking confirmation email.

If your test cannot go ahead

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will:

automatically book the next available date for your test

send you the details within 3 working days - it can take up to 7 days if there’s a long period of bad weather

You can change the date you’re given if it’s not suitable.

You cannot claim for any out-of-pocket expenses if your test is cancelled because of bad weather.

Problems with you or your car

You’ll have to book another test and pay again if your test cannot be completed because of a problem with:

you, for example, if you feel unwell while taking your test

your car, for example, if it breaks down during the test or does not meet the rules to be used

If your test is cancelled for another reason

Sometimes DVSA has to cancel tests for other reasons, for example, if the examiner is unwell.

You can apply for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses if DVSA cancels your test at short notice.

If you have a disability, health condition or learning difficulty

When you book your driving test you should say if you have a:

disability

health condition

learning difficulty

reason not to wear a face covering

You’ll still have to drive to the same standard to pass, but the examiner can make adjustments for your situation.

You have a disability

You’ll have time with the examiner once you start the test to talk about:

your disability

any adaptations fitted to your car

They might also agree for you to have more time for instructions and directions during your test.

You’re deaf or have a hearing impairment

The examiner will use written notes at the start of the test to explain what will happen. If you lip read, they’ll also look at you so you can lip read what they’re saying.

The examiner will usually give directions to you as hand signals. These will be explained to you before your test starts.

Using a sign language interpreter

You can take a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter with you. They must be at least 16 years old.

Your driving instructor can be your interpreter.

You need to arrange your own interpreter and pay any fees that they charge. You can claim the cost back after your test.

You’re pregnant

You can take a driving test at any stage of your pregnancy. However, you must be able and willing to do an emergency stop.

You have reading difficulties

When you do the eyesight check at the start of the driving test, you can write down the number plate instead of reading it out loud.

You have learning difficulties

The examiner will make adjustments for the independent driving part of the test if you have learning difficulties.

They might ask if you’d prefer to follow traffic signs instead of directions from a sat nav.

Using your own car for your test

You can take your driving test in your own car rather than your driving instructor’s if it meets certain rules.

Your test will be cancelled and you’ll have to pay again if your car does not meet the rules.

Rules about the car

Your car must:

be taxed

be insured for a driving test (check with your insurance company)

be roadworthy and have a current MOT (if it’s over 3 years old)

have no warning lights showing, for example, the airbag warning light

have no tyre damage and the legal tread depth on each tyre - you cannot have a space-saver spare tyre fitted

be smoke-free - this means you cannot smoke in it just before or during the test

be able to reach at least 62mph and have an mph speedometer

have 4 wheels and a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of no more than 3,500 kg

The MAM is the limit on how much the car can weigh when it’s loaded. It’ll be in the car’s handbook.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) safety

Because of COVID-19, you must clean the inside of your car before your test.

This means:

tidying unnecessary items from the dashboard, footwells, door pockets, cup holders and seats

wiping down the dashboard and car controls

The examiner will do an additional clean of some surfaces.

The car you use for your test must have at least one window open on each side throughout the test. Any combination of windows can be opened - for example, one from the front and one from the back. Wear clothing suitable for the weather.

Things that must be fitted

The car must have:

an extra interior rear-view mirror for the examiner

L-plates (‘L’ or ‘D’ plates in Wales) on the front and rear

a passenger seatbelt for the examiner and a proper passenger head restraint (not a slip-on type)

Dashcams and other cameras

You can use a camera fitted for insurance purposes, as long as it:

faces outside of the car and does not film the inside

does not record audio from inside the car

Vehicle features

You can use a car with:

an electronic parking brake

hill-start assist

Manual and automatic cars

You can take the test in a:

manual car - these have 3 pedals

automatic or semi-automatic car - these have 2 pedals

If you take your test in a semi-automatic car you’ll only be able to drive automatic and semi-automatic cars once you’ve passed your test.

Hire cars

You can take your test in a hire car if it’s fitted with dual controls and meets all the other rules.

Cars you cannot use

Some cars cannot be used in the test because they do not give the examiner all-round vision.

You cannot use any of the following:

BMW Mini convertible

Ford KA convertible

Toyota iQ

VW Beetle convertible

Check with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) before you book your test if you want to use a:

convertible car

panel van

Cars with known safety faults

You cannot use one of the cars shown in the table unless you have proof that it’s safe. This is because these cars have been recalled for a safety reason.

You must bring the proof that it’s safe with you when you take your test.

| Reason for recall | Vehicles affected | Recall issue date

Citroen C1 | Steering failure | Vehicles built between 9 Sep 2014 and 15 Oct 2014, with vehicle identification numbers (VINs) between wF7xxxxxxER516105 and VF7xxxxxxER523367 | 28 Jun 2016

Peugeot 108 | Steering failure | Vehicles built between 9 Jun 2014 and 15 Oct 2014, with VINs between VF3xxxxxxER256527 and F3xxxxxxER017078 | 28 Jun 2016

Toyota Aygo | Steering failure | Vehicles built between 9 Jun 2014 and 15 Oct 2014, with VINs between JTDJGNEC#0N022080 and 0N026438, JTDJPNEC#0N002099 and 0N002100, JTDKGNEC#0N022186 and 0N031372, and JTDKPNEC#0N002083 and 0N002102 | 28 Jun 2016

Toyota Yaris | Potentially defective seat rail track and/or steering column mounting | Some models built between Jun 2005 and May 2010 (‘05’ to ‘10’ registration plates) | 9 Apr 2014

Vauxhall ADAM | Potential steering problem | VINs with last 8 digits between E6077301 to E6113446, and F6000001 to F6006544 | 29 Sep 2014

Vauxhall Corsa D | Potential steering problem | VINs with last 8 digits between E6071016 and E6118738, and E4181031 and E4308122 | 29 Sep 2014

Proof you need to bring to your test

You must bring proof that says one of the following:

the car was recalled and the recall work has been done

the car was recalled but did not need any work to be done

the car was not part of the recall

The proof must be either:

the recall letter or safety notice, stamped by the manufacturer or dealer

on official or headed notepaper from the manufacturer or a dealer

Your test will be cancelled and you could lose your fee if you do not bring the right proof.


Riding a motorcycle, moped or motor tricycle

Overview

There are different rules if you held a motorcycle or moped licence before 19 January 2013.

To ride on public roads you first need to get a provisional licence and then complete compulsory basic training (CBT) to get a certificate.

You must pass both parts of your practical test within 2 years of taking the theory test. If you do not, you’ll have to start the process again.

Motorcycles

There are different categories of motorbike - you’ll need to get the right entitlement on your licence and be old enough to do so.

Mopeds

The way moped entitlements are shown on your licence have changed, but you still need to be 16 to ride one.

The rules are different if you already have a car driving licence.

Motor tricycles

Provisional category B car licences and provisional category A licences now only cover you to ride motor tricycles if you have a physical disability. Driving tests for 3-wheeled vehicles are only available for physically disabled drivers.

If you’re not physically disabled and want to ride a motor tricycle you’ll now need to get the right provisional entitlement and pass CBT.

You can drive a motor tricycle of any power rating if both of the following are true:

you’re over 21

you have a full car driving licence

You’ll need a full category A1 motorbike licence to ride motor tricycles up to power output 15 Kilowatts (kW), and a full category A motorbike licence to ride trikes with a power output more than 15 kW.

Once you’ve done your CBT you have 2 years to pass your theory and motorcycle tests or you’ll have to do CBT again.

If you have a full EU driving licence

Before you can take a CBT course you must either:

exchange your licence for a Great Britain (GB) licence

register your licence with DVLA

If you register your EU driving licence, you’ll have to exchange it for a GB licence after you’ve passed your theory and practical test.

Learning to ride

You need to have the right provisional driving licence when you’re learning to ride.

If you’re using your own vehicle you’ll need to make sure it:

has a valid V5C registration certificate (log book)

is taxed

has an MOT (if needed)

You’ll also need adequate motor insurance.

Official Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) guides

You can buy the official DVSA guide to learning to ride and the DVSA guide to riding - the essential skills.

Taking the full motorcycle tests

All riders have to pass the theory test before taking the motorcycle practical test.

Enhanced rider scheme

Once you’ve passed your motorcycle test you can take the enhanced rider scheme. It checks your riding skills and provides training to help you improve. You can get discounts on motorbike insurance if you successfully complete the scheme.

More information

Read DVLA’s routes to your motorcycle licence flowchart for step-by-step instructions on how to get a moped or motorbike licence.

Licences issued before 19 January 2013

If you held a motorcycle or moped licence before 19 January 2013 then you’ll keep your existing entitlements and can still ride the same kind of bikes as you did before.

However, if you get a new licence your entitlements may be shown differently.

You’ll have to follow the new rules if you want to get higher entitlements - eg ride a larger motorbike.

Mopeds

Changes to moped categories

If you’re already licensed to ride a moped your driving licence will show as category P.

The new rules will not affect you, but any new licences issued to you will show categories AM and Q, as well as category P. This means you will also be allowed to ride 2 or 3-wheeled mopeds with a top speed of 50 km/h.

Car driving test passed before 1 February 2001

You do not need to take compulsory basic training (CBT) to ride a moped if you passed your car driving test before 1 February 2001. You’ll still need to complete CBT to ride a motorbike, however.

Car driving test passed on or after 1 February 2001

You need to take CBT to ride a moped if you passed your car driving test on or after 1 February 2001.

However, you will not need to take further theory and practical tests or take CBT again.

Motorcycles

If you’re already licensed to ride a motorcycle, your licence should show category A. This will be the same if you renew or replace your licence after 19 January 2013.

Motor tricycles

If you hold category B1 entitlement (trikes and quads), when you renew or replace your licence after 19 January 2013 it will show categories B1 and A. The A entitlement will be limited to tricycles and you will not be able to ride motorbikes you were not previously allowed to.

Provisional licences now only cover you to ride motor tricycles if you have a physical disability. Driving tests for 3-wheeled vehicles are only available for physically disabled drivers.

Non-disabled drivers who want to ride motor tricycles need to pass CBT and the theory and practical tests on a 2-wheeled motorbike.

Bike categories, ages and licence requirements

| Licence category | Requirements for licence | Minimum age

Mopeds with speed range of 25 km/h to 45 km/h | AM | Compulsory basic training (CBT), theory test, practical test on all powered 2-wheeled moped | 16

Small 3-wheelers (up to 50 cc and below 4 kW) | AM | CBT, theory test, practical test | 16

Light quadricycles (weighing under 350 kg, top speed 45 km/h) | AM | CBT, theory test, practical test | 16

Same as AM plus 2 or 3-wheeled mopeds with top speed of 25 km/h | Q | Granted with AM | 16

Light motorcycle up to 11 kW (and a power-to-weight ratio not more than 0.1 kW per kg) and 125 cc | A1 | CBT, theory test, practical test | 17

Motor tricycles with a power output not more than 15 kW | A1 | CBT, theory test, practical test | 17

Standard motorcycle up to 35 kW (and a power-to-weight ratio not more than 0.2 kW per kg), bike must not be derived from vehicle more than twice its power | A2 | Direct access route - theory and practicalProgressive access route - 2 years experience on A1 motorbike and a further practical test | 19

Unrestricted motorcycles in size/power, with or without a sidecar, and motor tricycles with power output over 15 kW | A | Direct access route - CBT theory and practical (you must be at least 24)Progressive access route - held an A2 licence for a minimum of 2 years - practical test (21 or over) | 24 (direct) or 21 (progressive access)

You do not need to take the theory or motorcycle tests to apply for a provisional licence.

Read about the rules for the motorcycle theory test and practical riding test.

Safety equipment

Helmet

You must wear a safety helmet when riding a motorcycle on the road. All helmets sold in the UK must comply with at least 1 of these:

British Standard BS 6658:1985 and carry the BSI (British Standards Institution) Kitemark

UNECE Regulation 22.05

any standard accepted by a member of the European Economic Area which offers a level of safety and protection equivalent to BS 6658:1985 and carry a mark equivalent to the BSI Kitemark

You must wear glasses or contact lenses when you ride if you need them to read a number plate at the prescribed distance.

Visors and goggles

Your visors or goggles must comply with either:

a British Standard and displays a BSI Kitemark

a European standard which offers a level of safety and protection at least equivalent to the British Standard and carries a mark equivalent to the BSI Kitemark (ECE 22-05)


CBT motorcycle and moped training

Who needs to take training

Compulsory basic training (CBT) is a course you usually have to take before you ride a moped or motorcycle on the road.

The training makes sure you can ride safely on your own while you practise for your full moped or motorcycle test.

CBT is not a test that you pass or fail.

After you’ve completed CBT, you can ride a:

moped if you’re 16 or over

motorcycle up to 125cc and with a power output of up to 11kW if you’re 17 or over

You must use L plates (L or D plates in Wales).

You must pass your full moped or motorcycle test within 2 years, or you have to either take CBT again or stop riding.

You can be fined up to £1,000 and get up to 6 penalty points for riding if you do not have a valid CBT certificate.

When you do not need to take CBT

You do not have to take CBT if you:

want to ride a moped (up to 50cc) and you passed your car driving test before 1 February 2001

want to ride a motorcycle and have a full moped licence from passing a moped test since 1 December 1990

have a full motorcycle licence for one category and want to upgrade to another

live and ride on some offshore islands

want to ride a trial e-scooter

Booking your CBT course

Book your CBT course directly with a motorcycle training school.

The training school sets the course price. The price depends on where you do the training and if you bring your own moped or motorcycle.

The training school can ask you to share your driving licence information with them before the course.

Preparing for your CBT course

Your trainer can stop your compulsory basic training (CBT) course if your basic knowledge of The Highway Code and traffic signs is not good enough for you to ride safely.

You need to know:

the main rules that apply to moped and motorcycle riders

what other road users are likely to do

You can be charged again to retake the course if your trainer stops your training because you are not prepared.

You can buy the guide to learning to ride to help you prepare. You can also buy it from high street and online book shops.

What to take to your course

Take your UK driving licence to your training course.

What you need to wear

You must wear:

a motorcycle helmet that meets British safety standards (unless you’re Sikh and wearing a turban) - check if the training school will provide one

motorcycle boots or other sturdy footwear that supports and protects your ankles

textile or leather motorcycle trousers or heavy denim trousers

a textile or leather motorcycle jacket or a heavy denim jacket with several layers underneath

motorcycle gloves

Your course can be stopped and you can be charged to take it again if you do not wear suitable clothing.

Using your own moped or motorcycle

You cannot ride your own moped or motorcycle to the course unless you already have a CBT certificate - for example, if you’re taking CBT again before your current certificate expires.

How the training works

The CBT course usually lasts a full day. It can take longer depending on how quickly you learn.

There are 5 parts to the course:

introduction and eyesight check

on-site training

on-site riding

on-road training

on-road riding

The CBT course syllabus tells you more about what’s involved in each part.

You move from one part to the next when your trainer is happy you’ve:

learnt the theory

shown the practical skills to a safe basic level

On-road riding

The on-road riding part must last at least 2 hours. Complain to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if the trainer cuts this short.

How many people you’ll train with

You might train with other learners. There’s a maximum number of:

4 learners per trainer for on-site parts

2 learners per trainer for on-road parts

Complain to DVSA if there are more learners than this.

When you complete the course

You’ll get a ‘certificate of completion’ (sometimes called a ‘DL196’) when you successfully complete the course.

You can then ride a moped or motorcycle up to 125cc and with a power output of up to 11kW on the road with L plates (L or D plates in Wales).

You must pass your theory test and full moped or motorcycle test within 2 years otherwise you’ll need to complete CBT again or stop riding.

If you have a car driving licence

You can ride a moped (up to 50cc) without L plates and without taking the moped test in some situations.

You passed your driving test on or after 1 February 2001

You’ll get a full moped licence if you either:

pass your car driving test and then complete a compulsory basic training (CBT) course

complete a CBT course and then pass your car driving test within two years

You can then ride a moped (up to 50cc) without L plates. You do not need to take the full moped test.

You can ride mopeds  for as long as your car driving licence lasts.

You passed your driving test before 1 February 2001

You can ride a moped (up to 50cc) without L plates. You do not need to take a CBT course or take the full moped test.

You must take CBT if you want to ride anything larger than a 50cc moped.

If you ride on offshore islands

You must take compulsory basic training (CBT) to ride in these places:

the Isle of Wight

South Uist

North Uist

Benbecula

Harris

Lewis

mainland Orkney

mainland Shetland

any other island connected to mainland Great Britain by road

You do not need to take CBT to ride on other offshore islands.

Complain about a CBT course

Get help from Citizens Advice if you want to complain about your motorcycle training school’s service, or get a refund from them.

Standard of training

Contact the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if you’re not happy with the standard of training you received, including if:

the on-road riding part did not last at least 2 hours

there were too many learners per trainer

You need to give:

your trainer’s name and the training school name

the address where you took the training

the date and time you took the training

details of why you’re not happy with the training


Theory test: motorcycles and mopeds

Booking your test

You need to have a provisional motorcycle licence to book your theory test.

There are 2 parts to the test:

multiple-choice questions

hazard perception - a video test about spotting hazards on the road

You book and take them as a single test. You have to pass both parts to pass the test.

When you can take the theory test

You can take the theory test from your:

16th birthday onwards if you’re learning to ride a moped (no more than 50cc)

17th birthday onwards if you’re learning to ride a motorcycle

You can take the theory test before or after you’ve taken compulsory basic training (CBT).

Who needs to take the theory test

You usually need to have passed a motorcycle theory test before you take the motorcycle test.

Find out which motorcycles you can ride and which tests you need to take.

You do not need to take the theory test if you passed a moped test after 1 July 1996 and want to either:

take the motorcycle test on a category A1 small motorcycle

upgrade your motorcycle licence under the ‘progressive access’ (also known as ‘staged access’) rules

If you have a car licence

You have to pass a motorcycle theory test before taking the motorcycle test.

If your licence is not from Great Britain

Find out if you can drive in Great Britain (GB) with your non-GB licence without taking a theory and driving test.

Change or check your test details

You can change the date of your theory test after you’ve booked it. This includes if you cannot or do not want to attend because of coronavirus (COVID-19).

You can check your appointment details if you’ve lost your booking confirmation.

Rebook your test

Rebook your theory test if you failed your test and want to resit it. You have to choose a date at least 3 working days away.

Theory test revision and practice

You can use books and software to revise for the theory test and take practice tests.

Multiple-choice questions

The questions in the theory test are based on 3 books:

The Highway Code

Know your traffic signs

Riding - the essential skills

Study these to learn the rules and skills you’ll be tested on.

You can buy them from most high street and online book shops.

Take a practice test

Take a practice theory test to check how much you’ve learnt.

The practice questions are not used in the real test, but they’re based on the same topics as the test.

Hazard perception part

Buy the official guide to hazard perception for your PC or Mac to learn hazard perception skills and then test them.

You can buy it from most high street and online book shops.

What to take to your test

You must take your UK photocard driving licence to your test.

If you have a licence from Northern Ireland, bring the photocard and paper counterpart licence.

Your test will be cancelled and you will not get your money back if you do not take the right things with you.

Wearing a face covering at your test

You must wear a face covering at your test. If you do not wear one, you must have a good reason, for example:

you have a physical or mental illness, impairment or disability

wearing it would cause you severe distress

Wearing glasses does not count as a good reason.

You need to say why you cannot wear a face covering when you book your test. If you do not, and you come to your test without a face covering, your test will be cancelled.

If you’ve already booked your test and did not say that you cannot wear a face covering, contact DVSA.

When you must not go to your test

You must not go to your test if:

you or someone you live with has coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms

you’ve been told by the NHS Test and Trace service that you’ve been in contact with a person who has COVID-19

you’re self-isolating because you recently entered the UK

Change your theory test appointment for free if you need to self-isolate on the day of your test.

If you have a paper licence

Bring a valid passport as well as your paper licence.

If you do not have a passport, you need to get a photocard licence.

Personal belongings

You will not have access to your personal items in the test room. This includes things like:

bags

earphones

mobile phones

watches

You’ll usually have to store any personal items in a locker.

If your test centre does not have lockers, you must:

turn off your phone before you enter the test centre

put your belongings in a clear plastic box that will be given to you - this must be stored under your desk during the test

The test centre staff will check if you have anything with you that could be used to cheat. Your test will not go ahead if you do not let them check.

It’s illegal to cheat at the theory test. You can be sent to prison and banned from driving.

Multiple-choice questions

You have 57 minutes to answer 50 multiple-choice questions.

Before the test starts you’ll get:

instructions on how the test works

the chance to do some practice questions to get used to the screens

How the test works

A question and several possible answers appear on a screen. You have to select the right answer.

Some questions are given as a case study. The case study will:

show a short story that 5 questions will be based on

be about a real life situation you could come across when driving

Leaving a question

You can ‘flag’ questions that you want to come back to later.

Changing your answers

You can go back to any question to review and change your answer at any point.

When you’ve finished

You can finish the multiple-choice questions part when you’ve answered all of the questions. You do not have to use the full 57 minutes.

You can have a break of up to 3 minutes before the hazard perception test starts.

Hazard perception test

Before you start the hazard perception test, you’ll be shown a video about how it works.

You’ll then watch 14 video clips. The clips:

feature everyday road scenes

contain at least one ‘developing hazard’ - but one of the clips features 2 developing hazards

You get points for spotting the developing hazards as soon as they start to happen.

What a ‘developing hazard’ is

A developing hazard is something that would cause you to take action, like changing speed or direction.

How the scoring works

You can score up to 5 points for each developing hazard.

To get a high score, click the mouse as soon as you see the hazard starting to develop.

You do not lose points if you click and get it wrong. However, you will not score anything if you click continuously or in a pattern.

You only get one attempt at each clip. You cannot review or change your responses.

Pass mark and test result

You get the result at the test centre after taking the theory test. You need to pass both parts to pass the test.

Test part | Pass mark | Points available

Multiple-choice questions | 43 | 50

Hazard perception | 44 | 75

If you pass

You’ll get a letter with a pass certificate number at the test centre. You need this when you book and take your motorcycle test.

Your pass certificate number lasts for 2 years. You need to pass both modules of the motorcycle test in that time, otherwise you’ll have to pass the theory test again.

If you fail

You’ll get a letter at the test centre. It’ll tell you which parts you did not score enough points on so you know what to practise.

You have to book and take the full test again, even if you passed one part this time.

You have to wait at least 3 working days before taking your test again.

If you have a reading difficulty, disability or health condition

When you book your theory test you should say if you have a:

reading difficulty

disability

health condition

You have reading difficulties

You can ask to hear the test through headphones when you book your test. You can  hear it in English or Welsh.

You can listen to the questions and possible answers as many times as you need to.

Other types of support

You can get other support during your theory test if you send proof that you have reading difficulties.

This can be an email, letter or report from:

a teacher or other educational professional

a doctor or medical professional

an occupational therapist

an online dyslexia screening product assured by the British Dyslexia Association

You can get:

extra time to take the test

someone to read what’s on the screen and record your answers

someone to reword the questions for you

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will select the best type of support for you.

If DVSA agrees that you need extra support, they will send you an email with:

a reference number (you will need this when you book your test)

instructions on how to book your test

Extra time to take the test

You can ask for more time to do the multiple choice questions part of the theory test.

Reading what’s on the screen and recording your answers

A member of staff at the test centre can read out the instructions and questions on the screen.

They can also record your answers to the multiple-choice questions.

This can be done by either:

listening to the member of staff through headphones while they’re in another room - they’ll be able to see what’s on your screen

the member of staff sitting near you in the test room

Rewording the questions for you

You can ask for a member of staff to reword the theory test questions to make them easier for you to understand.

The person cannot change the technical language that you need to know. But they can change the order of the sentence and other non-technical words and phrases.

You still need to answer each question yourself.

You’re deaf or have a hearing impairment

You can take the theory test in British Sign Language (BSL) if you’re deaf or have a hearing impairment.

A BSL video appears on the screen next to the questions and answers.

Take a BSL interpreter

You can have a BSL interpreter with you during the test. Contact DVSA to arrange this. You will not be charged an extra fee.

Hearing loop and lip speakers

You can arrange to have a lip speaker with you at the theory test centre or use a listening aid (hearing loop).

To use either service you’ll need to contact DVSA before your test.

Other disabilities or health conditions

Contact DVSA to discuss any other disability or health condition before you book your test.