Practical Test

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To book a practical driving test you should previously have taken and passed The Theory Test. You can book your Practical Driving Test by clicking here at the official government website.

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The Practical Test is based at one of the many UK Driving Test Centres in the UK or one of the new Multi Purpose Test Centres. You will be driving on roads on a predetermined route, accompanied by an examiner from the Driving Standards Agency. To pass the test you have to give a safe drive in a variety of different road and traffic conditions, commit less than 15 driving faults, and not commit any serious or dangerous faults.

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If you wish your driving instructor can accompany you on the test, but he or she must sit in the back directly behind you, and not interfere with the test at all.

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It is best to arrive at the test centre 5 minutes before your test. At the allotted time an examiner will call your name. They will then check your licence details and ask you to sign a residency and insurance declaration. They will then ask you to lead the way to your car.

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On the way to the car the examiner will ask you to read a number plate on a vehicle at a distance of approximately 20 metres away to check your eyesight. If you can not read the number plate successfully the test will terminate there and then.

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Before you start to drive the examiner will ask you one car maintenance related question in the form of a ‘tell’ me question. On the test itself, whilst driving, you will be asked one ‘show’ me question. If you fail to answer these questions correctly you will be marked with 1 driving fault.

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The examiner will assess you on 3 key criteria:

 

1. vehicle control

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You will be expected to display good control of the vehicle.

 

2. Road procedure

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You will need to demonstrate good understanding of road positioning, lane discipline, give the correct signals and give way where necessary.

 

3. Traffic law

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You must drive within the law! Obey road signs, road markings and obey speed limits etc..

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During the drive the candidate must drive within the law and within the conditions set by the environmental conditions. You will drive on a range of roads with different layouts and speed limits and you should be able to negotiate any major junction. You will not be asked to use motorways.

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The examiner will ask you to pull over to the side of the road and move away again several times, some of which may be on an uphill incline.

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One in every three or four tests will include a controlled stop, also known as an Emergency Stop.

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You will also have to perform one out of the following list of manoeuvres:

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• Park on the right and reverse approximately 2 car lengths

• Parallel Park.

• Bay parking to include either reversing into a bay or driving forward into a bay and reversing out safely.

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The Practical Driving Test will also include a period of ‘Independent’ driving. The examiner will either ask you to follow a series of signs or you will be asked to follow a satellite navigation system supplied and set up by the examiner. The 'independent' driving part of the test will last for approximately 20 minutes which is about half of the test duration.

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The whole test is usually completed within 35-40 minutes.

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At the end of the test the examiner will inform you whether you have been successful or not, and then will offer you a debrief on your drive. It is useful if you allow your driving instructor to listen into the debrief.

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If successful the examiner will give you a pass certificate and will then take your licence from you so it can be exchanged for a Full Driving Licence.