The Practical Driving Test
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 demonstrate this through your driving
What Will The Test Include?
The test will include an eyesight check (if you fail this,
your test will not continue). The eyesight test requires you to read a number plate
that is a certain distance away. After the eyesight test you will be asked two vehicle
safety check questions.
You can find source material in the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) publication 'The
official guide to Driving -
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. 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.
Your ability to reverse your vehicle safely
You'll be asked to complete an exercise to show how well you can reverse your vehicle.
The examiner will choose one exercise from:
• reversing around a corner
• turning in the road
• reverse parking -
Independent driving section of the driving test
Your driving test will include around ten minutes of independent driving. This is designed to assess your ability to drive safely while making decisions independently. Click here to watch a short video of the independent driving section of the test.
If you make a mistake during your test
If you make a mistake, don't worry about it as it might be a less serious driving fault and might not affect your result. However, if at any time your examiner considers your driving to be a danger to other road users they will stop your test.
Your driving test result -
The examiner will:
• tell you whether you passed or not
• explain how you did during the test
The pass mark for the driving test
You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test. If you make 16 or more driving faults, you won't pass your test. If you make one serious or dangerous fault, you won't pass your test.
Taking someone with you on your driving test
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) encourages you to take someone with you on your driving test. This will usually be the person who has taught you to drive, but it could be a relative or a friend. They must be over 16 years old and cannot take any part in the test.
The person who goes with you will be able to see how you perform during the test. To get the most benefit from this, it would be sensible to ask your instructor to go with you. They can then give you advice on how to improve your driving, whether you pass or fail.
Driving test standards
All examiners are trained to carry out the test to the same standard, they do not have pass or fail quotas. So as long as you demonstrate the standard required you will pass your driving test. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions.
Weather Conditions / Mechanical Problems etc
The DSA do not conduct tests in bad light or in adverse weather conditions for the safety of the candidate and the examiner. They will arrange another appointment at no further cost, but compensation is not payable. Candidates should call the telephone number quoted on the appointment letter to check whether their test will go ahead. If the driving test is not completed for reasons attributable to you or your vehicle, you will have to take another test at your own cost.
Click here to book a Practical Test.