DRIVING TEST
ACHIEVE THE ULTIMATE GOAL
Proving Your competence
This is just the beginning of using your own skills. This short practical test is a glimpse into how your driving looks and whether you're prepared for the many years of independent driving that lay ahead. Read below to find out more about it and when you can take your test.
When can I book a test?
You can book your driving test when you’ve passed your theory test however, it is strongly recommended that you only book your driving test when you and your instructor have agreed. You will not be allowed to take your test in your instructor's car if they do not deem you to be driving safely and completely independently.
You will be ready to take a driving test if you can achieve the following:
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Drive safely in different road and traffic conditions with absolutely zero assistance from your instructor.
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Pass 3 or more mock tests which will be undertaken once you have successfully completed the driving syllabus.
The 'national standard for driving cars' page on the government website gives a more in-depth explanation of what you must be able to do to pass the test.
What will I be tested on?
A standard driving test for someone who has never passed a car test previously, will last around 40 minutes. During the test, you will be tested on 5 essential skills that will be paramount to keeping yourself and all other road-users safe.
The 5 skills are:
1. Eyesight check
You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of:
- 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate.
- 20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate.
New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, such as AB51 ABC.
You’ll fail your driving test if you fail the eyesight check. The test will end.
2.‘Show me, tell me’ questions
You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions. You’ll be asked:
- The ‘tell me’ question at the start of your test, before you start driving.
- The ‘show me’ question while you’re driving.
3.Your general driving ability
You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions, but not on motorways.
You’ll also be asked to pull over and pull away during your test, which will include:
- Normal stops at the side of the road.
- Stopping close to, and pulling out from, behind a parked vehicle.
- Stopping on a hill.
You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop. This doesn't happen on every test but selection is random.
4. Reversing your vehicle
At some point during your test, you will be asked to demonstrate one of the following maneouvres:
- Parallel park at the side of the road.
- Forward bay park (followed by reversing out of the bay, to leave).
- Reverse bay park (followed by driving forward out of the bay, to leave).
- Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and then re-join the traffic.
5. Independent driving
The examiner will give you directions that you should follow however, for about 20 minutes at some point during the test, you will be asked to do one of the following tasks to demonstrate independent driving:
- Follow directions from a sat nav.
- Follow traffic signs once given a destination from the examiner.
The examiner will tell you which task to carry out. You cannot choose.
How do I pass?
You’ll pass your driving test if you make:
- No more than 15 driving faults (sometimes called ‘minors’).
- No serious or dangerous faults at all (sometimes called ‘majors’).
The fault types explained:
- Dangerous fault - This involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property.
- Serious fault - Something potentially dangerous.
- Driving fault - This is not potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could become a serious fault.
If you pass your test, the examiner will:
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Tell you what faults you made, if any.
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Give you a pass certificate.
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Ask you if you want your full licence to be sent to you automatically - give the examiner your provisional licence if you want to do this.
If you choose for your licence not to be sent to you automatically, you will need to apply for your full driving licence within 2 years of passing your test.
You can start driving straight away when you’ve passed your test. You do not need to wait for your full licence to arrive.
Contact DVLA if your full licence has not arrived 3 weeks after you applied for it.