Test Drive Safety Terms
The rules and safety standards for requesting, offering, arranging or taking part in a vehicle viewing or test drive through CarZoon.
Plain-English summary: A CarZoon test-drive request is only a way to contact an advertiser. It is not proof of identity, permission, insurance, a valid driving licence or vehicle safety. The driver and vehicle provider must complete their own checks and must not proceed unless the test drive is lawful and safe.
Important: Never assume that a driver's own policy, a “driving other cars” extension, a seller's policy or dealer cover permits the proposed test drive. The exact driver, vehicle, purpose and journey must be covered. If there is any doubt, do not drive until the relevant insurer or broker has confirmed cover.
These terms form part of our Terms of Website Use and should be read with our Acceptable Use Policy, Private Seller Terms, Dealer Terms and Privacy Policy, where applicable.
1. About these terms
These Test Drive Safety Terms are issued by CarZoon Automotive Ltd ("CarZoon", "we", "us" or "our"), a company registered in Scotland under company number SC882384.
They apply whenever a visitor, buyer, private seller, dealer, business user or another person uses CarZoon to request, offer, discuss, arrange or take part in a viewing or test drive. By using a CarZoon test-drive or enquiry feature, you agree to follow these terms.
You must be at least 18 years old to request or arrange a test drive through CarZoon. A vehicle provider may apply additional reasonable eligibility, licence, insurance or age requirements.
2. CarZoon's role
CarZoon provides marketplace, enquiry and scheduling tools that may help users communicate about a viewing or test drive. Unless we expressly state otherwise, CarZoon:
- does not own, possess or control the advertised vehicle;
- does not provide motor insurance or confirm that any policy covers a test drive;
- does not issue driving licences or verify driving entitlement;
- does not inspect the vehicle, choose the route, supervise the drive or attend the meeting;
- does not guarantee the identity, conduct or statements of any user; and
- is not a party to the viewing, test drive or any resulting vehicle transaction.
A booking request, confirmation, account, advert or badge displayed by CarZoon must not be treated as evidence that the driver, vehicle, insurance or proposed journey is lawful or safe.
3. Eligibility, permission and consent
A test drive may take place only with the clear permission of the vehicle's owner or another person who is legally authorised to provide the vehicle.
The proposed driver must
- be legally entitled to drive the relevant category of vehicle;
- meet all applicable licence and insurance conditions;
- provide reasonable evidence requested before the drive;
- disclose any restriction that could affect lawful driving; and
- follow the vehicle provider's reasonable safety instructions.
The vehicle provider must
- have authority to permit use of the vehicle;
- be satisfied with the driver's identity, licence and insurance;
- provide a lawful and roadworthy vehicle; and
- refuse or stop the drive if any requirement is not met.
Either party may decline, postpone or end a test drive where they reasonably feel unsafe, uncomfortable or unable to verify a legal requirement. A test-drive request does not create an obligation to provide a drive, buy the vehicle or continue negotiations.
4. Driving licence and identity checks
Before the vehicle is driven, the vehicle provider should inspect the proposed driver's current driving licence and satisfy themselves that the photograph, name, licence status, vehicle category and any restrictions are appropriate.
- A driver must not use a false, altered, expired, cancelled, revoked or suspended licence.
- A disqualified person must not request or take part as a driver.
- If reasonably requested, the driver should provide a DVLA check code or another lawful means of confirming their driving record.
- A person must not access another individual's driving record without that individual's permission.
- Do not send unnecessary identity documents, National Insurance numbers or full licence images through ordinary marketplace messages.
Drivers with licences issued outside Great Britain, provisional licences or material licence restrictions must confirm that they are legally entitled and properly insured to drive the vehicle in the proposed circumstances. The vehicle provider may require a full UK licence or decline the test drive.
5. Insurance
The proposed driver and the person permitting use of the vehicle are each responsible for ensuring that valid motor insurance covers the exact driver, vehicle, purpose and test-drive journey. At least the legally required level of cover must be in force before the vehicle is driven on a road or other public place.
Do not proceed unless insurance is confirmed.
- Do not rely only on an insurance certificate for another vehicle.
- Do not assume that comprehensive cover automatically permits driving another person's vehicle.
- Check any age, occupation, vehicle-value, engine-size, territorial, time, mileage or business-use restriction.
- Confirm whether the vehicle provider, dealer policy or temporary test-drive policy imposes an excess or other conditions.
- Retain appropriate evidence of cover where reasonably necessary.
CarZoon does not sell, arrange, approve or validate test-drive insurance unless a separately identified regulated service expressly states otherwise.
6. Vehicle status, legality and roadworthiness
The vehicle provider must ensure that the vehicle may lawfully be used for the proposed test drive and is safe to drive. Before the drive, the provider should check that:
- the vehicle is correctly registered and displays lawful registration plates;
- valid vehicle tax applies, or lawful trade plates are being used in accordance with their conditions;
- a valid MOT is in force where one is legally required;
- the vehicle is insured for the proposed use;
- tyres, brakes, steering, lights, mirrors, windows, seat belts and other safety-critical equipment are in safe working order;
- warning lights, known defects, damage or unusual controls have been explained to the driver; and
- fuel or battery charge is sufficient for the agreed route.
A vehicle declared SORN must not be used on a public road for an ordinary test drive. A valid MOT certificate, vehicle-data result or CarZoon advert is not a guarantee that the vehicle is currently roadworthy.
7. Planning a safe viewing and test drive
Before meeting
- Agree a sensible time, public meeting point and approximate route.
- Share the meeting details with a trusted person.
- Keep initial communication through CarZoon where possible.
- Do not share unnecessary financial, identity or home-security information.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or valuable documents.
- Postpone the drive where weather, visibility, traffic or vehicle condition makes it unsafe.
A private seller should normally accompany the driver where it is lawful, insured and safe to do so. A seller who is uncomfortable meeting alone should arrange for another trusted adult to be present. Dealers should follow their documented test-drive and lone-working procedures.
8. Rules during the test drive
The driver must operate the vehicle lawfully, carefully and within the agreed purpose and route.
- Wear a seat belt and ensure every passenger uses an appropriate restraint.
- Follow speed limits, road signs, traffic laws and reasonable instructions.
- Do not use a handheld mobile phone or become distracted while driving.
- Do not race, perform stunts, test unsafe speeds, drive off-road or misuse the vehicle.
- Do not allow an unapproved person to drive.
- Do not carry unlawful, dangerous or unauthorised goods.
- Stop safely if a warning light, defect, unusual noise, illness, conflict or unsafe condition arises.
- Return the vehicle at the agreed time and place with its keys, documents and equipment.
The vehicle provider may specify a reasonable route, duration, passenger limit or supervision requirement. Any restriction must be communicated before the drive and must not conflict with law or insurance requirements.
9. Additional responsibilities for private sellers
A private seller must not release the vehicle merely because a person has sent a CarZoon request or shown a profile. Before handing over the keys, the seller should:
- verify the driver's identity and licence;
- see reliable evidence of insurance that covers the proposed test drive;
- keep the vehicle keys under their control until checks are complete;
- remove valuables and protect personal information contained in the vehicle;
- avoid handing over the original V5C, spare keys or unnecessary documents; and
- decline unusual requests, including taking the vehicle alone without agreed safeguards.
Any deposit, payment or security arrangement is made directly between users at their own risk. CarZoon does not hold test-drive deposits or provide escrow unless the website expressly identifies a genuine CarZoon service for that purpose.
10. Additional responsibilities for dealers
Dealers and business users must operate test drives in accordance with applicable law, their insurance, trade-plate conditions, health and safety duties, internal procedures and the CarZoon Dealer Terms.
- Staff must be trained to complete licence, identity, insurance and vehicle checks consistently.
- Any dealer test-drive agreement, excess, age limit or customer responsibility must be explained before the drive.
- Trade plates may be used only by an eligible business and for a permitted purpose under the applicable trade licence.
- Customer documents and driving information must be handled securely and lawfully.
- A CarZoon badge, approval status or dealer profile must not be presented as a guarantee of a test drive or vehicle.
11. Accidents, damage, offences and breakdowns
If an accident, collision, damage, breakdown or suspected offence occurs, those involved must prioritise safety, comply with their legal duties and follow the relevant insurer's instructions.
- Stop safely and contact emergency services where anyone is injured or there is immediate danger.
- Exchange the information required by law and report the incident to the police where legally required.
- Notify the relevant vehicle provider, owner, dealer and insurer promptly.
- Do not admit liability, abandon the vehicle or arrange an unauthorised repair.
- Preserve relevant photographs, messages and other lawful evidence.
CarZoon is not an emergency, roadside-assistance, insurance-claims or accident-management service. Contact us separately if the incident involved suspected misuse of a CarZoon account, advert, message or test-drive feature.
12. Prohibited conduct
You must not use a CarZoon viewing or test-drive feature to:
- facilitate theft, fraud, violence, harassment, stalking or another unlawful act;
- obtain a vehicle, keys, documents, money or personal information by deception;
- drive without permission, a valid licence or valid insurance;
- conceal a disqualification, restriction, material medical issue or insurance limitation;
- pressure another person to proceed, meet privately or ignore a safety concern;
- send fake insurance, identity, payment or booking evidence;
- arrange a test drive while impaired by alcohol, illegal drugs, medication or fatigue; or
- use the vehicle for racing, hire, reward, delivery, towing or another purpose not expressly agreed and insured.
13. Reporting concerns and enforcement
Report a suspicious request, account, advert, message or safety incident to support@carzoon.co.uk. Include the relevant advert or account reference, dates, a clear explanation and any evidence you can lawfully provide.
We may investigate and take proportionate action, including restricting test-drive features, requesting verification, removing content, suspending or closing an account, preserving evidence or cooperating with insurers, regulators or law-enforcement authorities.
Do not place yourself at risk to gather evidence. If there is immediate danger, call the emergency services. Complaints about CarZoon are handled under our Complaints Handling Policy.
14. Responsibility and liability
The driver and vehicle provider are responsible for their own decisions, checks, conduct and compliance with law. Responsibility for loss, damage, injury, penalties, insurance excesses or claims arising from a test drive will depend on the circumstances, applicable law and the relevant insurance or agreement.
CarZoon is not responsible for the acts or omissions of a driver, seller, dealer, passenger or other third party, or for a transaction or meeting to which CarZoon is not a party, except to the extent that loss is directly caused by CarZoon's own breach of legal duty.
Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of statutory rights, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
15. Personal information
Licence details, identity documents, check codes, insurance evidence, contact details and meeting information may contain personal data. Request, view, use, retain and disclose only what is reasonably necessary and lawful for the proposed test drive.
Users must not publish another person's documents, reuse them for an unrelated purpose or retain them longer than reasonably necessary. CarZoon's processing of information through its platform is explained in our Privacy Policy.
16. Changes to these terms
We may update these terms to reflect changes to CarZoon, applicable law, regulatory guidance, insurance practices, security risks or marketplace safety standards. The current version will be published on this page with its effective or review date.
17. Applicable law
These terms and any non-contractual dispute or claim arising from them are governed by the laws of Scotland, subject to any mandatory consumer rights that apply. The courts identified in the applicable CarZoon terms will have jurisdiction.
18. Contact us
CarZoon Automotive Ltd
Company number: SC882384
5 South Charlotte Street
Edinburgh, EH2 4AN
United Kingdom
Email: support@carzoon.co.uk
Website: https://carzoon.co.uk/