The Practical Driving Test

On your test your examiner will be looking for you to show that you

• can drive safely
• know The Highway Code and can demonstrate this through your driving

Your test will include an eyesight test (if you fail this, your test will not continue). As well as this your test will include two show me tell me questions.  

After the eyesight test you will be
examined on your general driving and on two reversing exercises. The reversing exercises will be chosen from:

• reversing around a corner
• turning in the road
• reverse parking
• Bay Parking (depending on test centre)

You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.

A standard driving test takes about 40 minutes.

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 can make up to 15 minor 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 at any time your examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped. 

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 do we make sure you are ready for the test?

As you get to test standard in your lessons we will put you through your paces in a mock test. This test is both to check your driving standards and also to let you know what to expect on your real driving test. We will complete the test in the same way as a proper practical test and mark it accordingly. We will go over the test report sheet which will help you understand how it is marked and the reasons why something is a minor/serious fault. You will also understand how much of an effect test nerves may have on your driving.

At that stage we will give you our opinion on your readiness for the test and discuss what you need to do between that point and actually taking you test. We are not necessarilly looking for you to pass this test and will use judgement according to which faults you make. We think the mock test is an invaluable exercise and would hope you will take it as seriously as possible