The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999

Nature of tests other than extended tests E+W+S

[F1 40.— (1) This regulation and regulations 40A to 40C apply to tests other than extended driving tests and are subject to regulation 42.

[F2 (1A) The test for a licence authorising the driving of a motor vehicle in category [F3 AM or A] shall be conducted in three parts, namely—

(a) the standard test of driving theory and the standard test of hazard perception;

(b) the manoeuvres test; and

(c) the practical test.

(1B) A person taking the test referred to in paragraph (1A) must—

(a) pass all three parts; and

(b) take all three parts in the same category or sub-category of vehicle.]

[F4 (2) Subject to paragraph (2C), the test for a licence authorising the driving of a motor vehicle of a class included in category B shall be conducted in accordance with either paragraph (2A) or paragraph (2B).

(2A) A test conducted in accordance with this paragraph shall consist of two parts, namely—

(a) the standard test of driving theory and the standard test of hazard perception, and

(b) the practical test,

and a person taking such a test must pass both parts.

(2B) A test conducted in accordance with this paragraph shall consist of three parts, namely—

(a) the safe road use test,

(b) the abridged standard test of driving theory and the standard test of hazard perception, and

(c) the practical test,

and a person taking such a test must pass all three parts.

(2C) Where a person has been issued with a valid qualification award certificate, the test for a licence authorising the driving of a motor vehicle included in category B shall be conducted in two parts, namely—

(a) the abridged standard test of driving theory and the standard test of hazard perception, and

(b) the practical test,

and a person taking such a test must pass both parts.]

[F5 (3) Subject to paragraphs (3A) and (4), the test for a licence authorising the driving of a motor vehicle of a class included in category C, C + E, D or D + E shall be conducted in four parts, namely—

(a) the large vehicle test of driving theory,

(b) the large vehicle test of hazard perception,

(c) the large vehicle off road manoeuvres test, and

(d) a practical test of driving skills and behaviour,

and a person taking such a test must pass all four parts.]

[F6 (3A) Where a large vehicle off road manoeuvres test and practical test are to be conducted by a DVSA examiner, such tests may be conducted concurrently and the requirements of regulation 40A(2)(c) shall not apply.]

(4) The test for a licence authorising the driving of a motor vehicle of a class included in category B+E, C+E and D+E—

(a) in a case where the test is for a licence authorising the driving of vehicles in sub-category C1+E and the applicant is the holder of a full licence which was in force at a time before 1st January 1997 and authorises the driving of motor vehicles included in sub-category C1+E (8.25 tonnes) but not the driving of any other vehicles included in category C+E, shall consist of the matters prescribed in respect of the large vehicle test of driving theory for category C, the large vehicle hazard perception test and the specified requirements prescribed in respect of the [F7 large vehicle off road manoeuvres test and] practical test for category C+E, F8 ...

[F9 (aa) in a case where the test is for a licence authorising the driving of vehicles in category C + E and the applicant is not the holder of a full licence which authorises the driving of motor vehicles included in category C, shall consist of the matters prescribed in respect of the large vehicle test of driving theory for category C, the large vehicle hazard perception test and the specified requirements prescribed in respect of the [F10 large vehicle off road manoeuvres test and] practical test for category C + E;

(ab) in a case where the test is for a licence authorising the driving of vehicles in sub-category D1 + E and the applicant is the holder of a full licence which was in force at a time before 1st January 1997 and authorises the driving of motor vehicles included in sub-category D1 + E (not for hire or reward) but not the driving of any other vehicles included in category D + E, shall consist of the matters prescribed in respect of the large vehicle test of driving theory for category D, the large vehicle hazard perception test and the specified requirements prescribed in respect of the [F11 large vehicle off road manoeuvres test and] test for category D + E;

(ac) in a case where the test is for a licence authorising the driving of vehicles in category D + E and the applicant is not the holder of a full licence which authorises the driving of motor vehicles included in category D, shall consist of the matters prescribed in respect of the large vehicle test of driving theory for category D, the large vehicle hazard perception test and the specified requirements prescribed in respect of the [F12 large vehicle off road manoeuvres test and] practical test for category D + E; and]

(b) in any other case, shall consist of [F13 a large vehicle off road manoeuvres test and] a practical test only.

(5) The test for a licence authorising the driving of a motor vehicle of a class included in category F, G, H or K shall be a unitary test and a person taking such a test shall be treated as having passed it if he satisfies the person conducting the test that he is—

(a) generally competent to drive a vehicle of that class without danger to, and with due consideration for, other road users,

(b) fully conversant with the Highway Code, and

(c) able to comply with the requirements specified in regulation 40C(6) in respect of a vehicle of that class.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Reg. 40 substituted (7.7.2008) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1435), regs. 1(1), 13 (with reg. 22)

F2 Reg. 40(1A)(1B) inserted (30.3.2009) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/788), regs. 1(2), 18(a) (with reg. 33)

F3 Words in reg. 40(1A) substituted (19.1.2013) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/977), reg. 1(2), Sch. 3 para. 23

F4 Reg. 40(2)-(2C) substituted for reg. 40(2) (1.5.2010) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/1203), regs. 1(2), 18

F5 Reg. 40(3) substituted (15.11.2021 at 1.00 a.m.) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1154), regs. 1(2), 16(a)

F6 Reg. 40(3A) inserted (15.11.2021 at 1.00 a.m.) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1154), regs. 1(2), 16(b)

F7 Words in reg. 40(4)(a) inserted (15.11.2021 at 1.00 a.m.) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1154), regs. 1(2), 16(c)(i)

F8 Word in reg. 40(4) omitted (15.11.2021) by virtue of The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1251), regs. 1(2), 6(a) (with reg. 9)

F9 Reg. 40(4)(aa)-(ac) inserted (15.11.2021) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 4) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1251), regs. 1(2), 6(b) (with reg. 9)

F10 Words in reg. 40(4)(aa) inserted (15.11.2021 at 1.00 a.m.) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1154), regs. 1(2), 16(c)(ii)

F11 Words in reg. 40(4)(ab) inserted (15.11.2021 at 1.00 a.m.) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1154), regs. 1(2), 16(c)(iii)

F12 Words in reg. 40(4)(ac) inserted (15.11.2021 at 1.00 a.m.) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1154), regs. 1(2), 16(c)(iv)

F13 Words in reg. 40(4)(b) inserted (15.11.2021 at 1.00 a.m.) by The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1154), regs. 1(2), 16(c)(v)