Practical Driving Test

Driving examiners, contrary to popular belief are human! The examiners know that you are going to be nervous, and will do everything they can to help put you at ease. BUT remember they are testing you to see if you are ready to take to the roads by yourself. Use this link to book your Driving Test online or call 0300 200 1122.

The driving test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you can drive safely and can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of The Highway Code through your driving.

Click here for information on short-notice tests

Click here for information on local driving test centres

What will the test include?

1. Eyesight Test
At the start of the test, the examiner will ask the candidate to read the number plate of a car 20.5 metres from the candidate.

2. Maintenance / Safety Questions
The examiner will then ask the candidate 2 maintenance / safety questions relating to the car the candidate will use for the test.

3. The Drive
During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. During the test, the examiner will ask you to carry out set exercises.

Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it, it might be a less serious driving fault and may not affect your result. The examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.

You are allowed to take someone with you on the test, this person must be over 16 years old and cannot take any part in the test.

How will the examiner test me?
The driving test has no magical secrets, the examiner will be looking only to see that you drive safely when you take to the road demonstrating that you have;

• RESPONSIBILITY towards other road users
• CONFIDENCE in driving the car on you own
• AWARENESS & ANTICIPATION of hazards and dangers
• CONSIDERATION and ATTITUDE, especially the vulnerable road users
• Add to this the driving test set of MANOEUVRES

The examiner is not looking just for a good drive, he will be watching for faults with your driving. When these faults occur he will record them. If you show you can control your drive and correct faults safely without interfering with other road users you will have no difficulty in passing your driving test FIRST time Reporting for your practical driving test.

You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test. If you receive more than 4 driving faults in the same category that will also be a fail, or if you receive 1 serious fault or 1 dangerous fault, that would also be a fail. If at any time your examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.

The driving test now has 2 'show me tell me' questions. The examiner will ask you questions at the beginning of your test from the Show me tell me questions learn them and give the answers he will be looking for.

The extended Driving Test
Disqualified drivers who have been told they need to take the extended double length driving test. For more information, visit The Extended Driving Test

Driving Test Debrief
After the drive, when the examiner has informed the candidate if they have passed or failed, the examiner will ask the candidate if they wish their instructor to listen in on the debrief (where the examiner explains the marks and why the candidate received them). I prefer to be allowed to listen as if the candidate has been unsuccessful I will know exactly what to work on in the next lesson, (it can be a stressful time and sometimes the candidate does not listen to exactly what the examiner is saying and can misunderstand why they have not passed).

Once you've passed
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How to Pass Your Test

1. Don't assume the cheapest lessons are the best. Concentrate on getting great value for your money. You should get a discount for block booking. Ask about offers on post-test tuition for motorway driving.
2. Check out how long a 'lesson' really is. Some driving schools offer lessons that are less than an hour long, or pick up and drop off other pupils on your lesson time.
3. Make sure your instructor has a green badge in the windscreen to prove they are a fully qualified Driving Standards Agency instructor. A pink licence means the instructor is a trainee and has no formal qualifications to teach you to drive.
4. Check that the car you'll drive has dual controls and is in good condition. Is there a spare car available in case of breakdown?
5. Check that the instructor can help with your theory test, and buy a good theory book or CD-ROM to help you practice.
6. Make sure your instructor keeps a record of your progress and follows the official Driving Standards Agency syllabus.
7. Apply for your theory test as soon as you start your lessons.
8. Agree with your instructor when to apply for your practical test (remember you need to pass your theory and hazard perception tests first).
9. Take at least an hour a week, preferably two, of regular lessons with a qualified instructor. They will advise you on how much tuition you should need.
10. Make sure your tuition car is available for a final lesson immediately before your test.