Practical Driving Test

The driving test is designed for you to show your practical skills and understanding of the Highway Code and the theory of driving safely. Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.

The driving test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you:

·         can drive safely in different road and traffic conditions

·         know The Highway Code and can show this through your driving ability

So long as you show the standard required, you’ll pass your driving test. There are no pass or fail quotas.

What you need to take to your driving test

You need to bring certain documents to your driving test. You also need to bring a car that can be used for the test.

You must bring the following documents with you. If you do not bring the right documents:

·         the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) may refuse to carry out the test

·         you may lose your fee

For all types of tests

You must bring:

·         your theory test pass certificate (or confirmation) if you are not exempt

·         your photo card licence

·         Before you start the driving ability part of your test, you’ll have an eyesight check and be asked two vehicle safety questions.

·         The eyesight check

·         The examiner will ask you to read the number plate on a parked vehicle to test your eyesight. If you fail the check, your driving test won’t continue. You can find out how the eyesight check works by clicking on the link below

·         Vehicle safety questions: ‘show me, tell me’

·         You’ll be asked two vehicle safety questions. These are also known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.

·         The examiner will ask you one ‘tell me’ question, where you’ll have to tell them how you’d carry out a vehicle safety check. You’ll also be asked one ‘show me’ question, which you have to carry out while driving the car.

·         If you give the wrong answer for one or both questions, you’ll be marked with one driving fault.

The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes. Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.

Your general driving ability

During your test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow and you will be required to use a Sat Nav for about 20 minutes of the test. You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions. You should drive in the way your instructor has trained you.

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

You will be asked to carry out a manoeuvre

The examiner will choose one exercise from:

Reverse parking – either into a parking bay and driving out, or parallel parking at the side of the road

You may also be asked to park forwards into a parking bay and reverse out, or park on the right hand side of the road. Reverse for two car lengths and then rejoin the traffic.

Independent driving section of the driving test

Your driving test will include around twenty minutes of independent driving. This is designed to assess your ability to drive safely while making decisions independently.

During the independent part of the test, most candidates will be asked to follow directions from a Sat Nav.

You are able to ask the examiner for confirmation of where you are going if you are not sure. It doesn’t matter of you go the wrong way provided you don’t make a fault while doing it.

One in 5 driving tests won’t use a sat nav and you will need to follow traffic signs for around 20 minutes instead.

You will fail the test if you commit over 15 driving faults or 1 serious driving fault.

Taking another test if you don’t pass

If you don’t pass your test, you can take another after ten working days. Working days include Saturdays

Feedback on how eco-efficient your driving is

The examiner will give you helpful feedback about how eco-efficient your driving is.