What should you take to your driving test in Sevenoaks?

You don't need a bag full of paperwork or special equipment for your driving test. For most pupils taking their test in my car, the one thing you must bring is your provisional photocard driving licence.

Beyond that, it's about what helps you feel comfortable and ready to drive: familiar shoes, suitable clothes, and any glasses or contact lenses you need. The night before isn't about learning anything new. It's about being organised, so nothing on the day adds to your nerves.

Your driving licence: the one essential

Check you have your licence the evening before, then check again before you leave. You need the actual licence, not a photo of it on your phone.

If you turn up without it, your test won't go ahead and you'll lose your fee. If you've lost it, apply to DVLA for a replacement straight away. It can take up to 15 days to arrive (opens in a new tab), so if it won't come in time, rearrange your test.

A few situations need something extra:

• Old-style paper licence: bring a valid passport as well.
• Northern Ireland licence: bring the photocard and the paper counterpart.
• Anything else unusual, such as a recent name change: check GOV.UK (opens in a new tab) before the day.

You don't need to bring your theory test certificate. Bring it if you have it, but the examiner checks that you've passed before the test starts.

What if the address on my licence is out of date?

In my experience, that won't stop you taking your test. But you're legally required to tell DVLA when you move, it's free, and you can keep driving while you wait, so it's worth sorting out.

At the test centre

When the examiner calls your name, they'll ask to see your licence, then hand you an iPad to confirm a few details and sign. Try to make your signature roughly match the one on your licence. And make sure your phone is switched off completely: you won't need it, and it's one less distraction.

Glasses or contact lenses

If you need glasses or contact lenses to drive, wear them. The eyesight check is the very first thing that happens: you'll read a number plate from about 20 metres away, usually on a car parked across the road from the test centre. Wear what you normally drive in, rather than trying something new on the day.

Sunglasses are fine too, as long as the examiner can still see your eyes clearly. In winter, when the sun is low and glaring off wet roads, you'll often find they're essential!

Wear the shoes you normally drive in

This is the most important thing on the list after your licence. Shoes have a huge effect on how the pedals feel, and changing them on test day can make the clutch, brake or accelerator feel completely different.

Wear the comfortable, secure shoes you've used on lessons. Avoid very thick soles, high heels, loose shoes, sliders, flip-flops or anything that could slip off or catch. You want good feel, good grip and consistency.

Test day is not the day for new shoes.

What to wear

There's no dress code. Wear whatever you're comfortable in, as long as it's respectable: it's sensible to avoid clothes with offensive slogans. It isn't a job interview, though. Comfort matters far more than looking smart.

Many learners get warm during the test, especially when they're concentrating hard or feeling nervous. Light layers or something breathable help you stay comfortable and focused. Avoid anything that restricts your movement.

Can you bring a drink?

Yes, you're welcome to bring some water. Keep the bottle stowed where it can't roll into the footwell or get in the way of the pedals.

It's best to drink before the test. If you need a sip during it, wait until you've pulled over and secured the car, and tell the examiner, rather than reaching for the bottle on the move. Then put it away, look all around again and carry on when it's safe.

Should you eat a banana?

You may have heard that eating a banana before your test helps with nerves, because of the potassium. It's entirely optional, but it's something I sometimes suggest. A banana is light and unlikely to upset your stomach, and even if it's just a placebo, it can still help.

There's no magic trick, though. The point is to feel comfortable, steady and as close to your normal self as possible. So eat something light and familiar, and don't try anything new. That includes caffeine: if you don't normally drink coffee or energy drinks, test day isn't the time to start. It can leave you jittery and anxious, which is the opposite of what you want.

Using your own car?

If you're taking your test in my car, I take care of all of this. If you want to use your own car, talk to me first, because I've seen tests cancelled before they began because a car wasn't ready.

You don't normally need to show paper MOT or insurance certificates. But the car must be taxed, have a valid MOT if it needs one, and have insurance that covers you for a driving test. It must also have, among other things:

• L plates on the front and back.
• An extra interior mirror for the examiner.
• A passenger seatbelt and a proper head restraint (not a slip-on one).
• A speedometer showing mph, fitted to the car.
• No warning lights showing on the dashboard.
• Legal tyres with no cuts or bulges, and no space-saver spare fitted.

Parking sensors and cameras are fine, but self-parking features aren't allowed, and a dashcam must face outwards only. Check the full list on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab).

Before the day, clear loose items out of the back seats and boot, take out any rear-facing child seat behind the passenger seat, fill up with fuel and screenwash, and get the car cleaned. You can't score points for a clean car, but it shows you're organised and taking the test seriously.

Your test-day checklist

Before you leave, check you have:

And allow plenty of time. We meet an hour before your test to warm up on the local roads, and get to the test centre on Argyle Road about ten minutes before your test time.

Frequently asked questions

Finally…

For most of my pupils, test-day preparation is simple: bring your licence, wear your usual shoes, dress comfortably, and drive as you've practised on lessons. Being organised won't add anything to your driving, but it stops anything taking away from it. That's part of why my learners had an 87% pass rate in 2026 (53 of 61 tests).