Your driving test will start with an eyesight check and some vehicle safety questions. You will then start your practical driving test which will include some specific manoeuvres.
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, including when you are carrying out the set exercises.
On the big day, Please don’t forget: your provisonal licence, theory test certicficate & confirmation of your practical test booking.
The driving test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you:
- can drive safely
- knowledge of The Highway Code demonstrated through your driving
You will be examined on your general driving, one manoeuvre, a ‘show me’ question on the move and you maybe asked to carry out an emergency stop. You will be required to perform one of the four manoeuvers:
- right reverse
- parallel or reverse park
- pulling forwards and parking in a bay
- reversing into a parking bay
During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow. You will either be required to follow directions from a Satnav or follow road signs, these will last for about 20 minutes. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions.
Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don’t worry about it as 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 driving faults and still pass the test. 16 or more faults results in failure. 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.
After the practical test
When the driving test has ended, you can call your instructor over if they didn’t go with you on your test. This is so they can listen to the result and feedback with you. The examiner will tell you whether you passed or failed and will explain how you did during the test.
If you pass…
If you pass the examiner will ask you if you want your full driving licence issued to you automatically.
If you want to use this service, the examiner will take your old licence off you, scan the details and send them electronically to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You will then be given a pass certificate to prove you passed your test. DVLA will then send you your new full licence by post within four weeks of you passing your practical test.
If you pass your test but do not want to use this automatic service you will be given a pass certificate by the examiner. On the back of the pass certificate it tells you what you need to do next. This involves sending your licence to DVLA who will then check your application and issue you with a new full licence.
If you fail…
If you fail the test the examiner will give you some feedback to help prepare yourself for your next test. Your driving report form will also show you where you made any mistakes. You can take another practical test 10 working days after your test.