Information about the Practical Driving Test

If you have passed the theory test you can now apply for your practical driving test.
But first please consult your instructor to mutually arrange a date and time.

Are you at test standard?
If you can drive and control your car safely and smoothly, with full awareness of other road users and consideration for the road, weather and traffic conditions, and can competently perform all the slow manoeuvres. With only the bare instructions from your driving instructor then the answer is probably 'yes'.

Your test vehicle
The car you use for the driving test must be fitted with the appropriate mirrors, headrests, L-plates, Tax, and the appropriate Insurance. The vehicle also needs to be in a clean and good working condition capable of normal performance for that type of vehicle. If you are learning with Experience Driving you will normally have the opportunity to take the test in your instructors car.

Documents to take with you:
1. Your signed provisional driving licence.
2. Your theory test pass certificate.
3. An acceptable document* that includes your photograph and signature.
4. The new photo driving licence with counter part.

Presenting yourself for test
Arrive at the test centre in plenty of time and try to relax do not turn the examiner into some mystical monster. If you have trained with Experience Driving you will already be to a good standard so have confidence in yourself. All the examiner wants to see you do is drive without being a hazard to any other road user.

THE DRIVING TEST

After a brief introduction the examiner will ask you to read a number plate from a distance. The examiner will then run through the ‘tell me, show me’ questions and then do a spot check around the vehicle, and get into the front passenger's seat, and explain briefly to you how the test works. You'll be asked to start the car and move away, and you're off!

You have about 35-45 minutes in the car; that time includes two of the four possible slow manoeuvres, (i) turn in the road, (ii) reversing round a corner, (iii) reverse parallel parking behind a car or reverse bay parking, (iv) emergency stop.
During the test it is also likely that you will be asked to demonstrate a hill-start and an angled start. The rest of the time is taken up with general driving on the chosen test route.
You will be expected to deal competently and safely with every situation that you find, but some minor driving faults are permitted. These are errors that do not in themselves create an actual or potential danger to other road users. They are recorded on the examiner's test form, and if you make 16 or more of these driving faults you will fail the test. You will also fail if you make a serious or dangerous error.

This may sound an awful lot to do but if you have been trained to a good standard most of the above will be second nature.

At the end of the test
When you have switched the engine off the examiner will tell you whether you have passed or failed. If you've passed, your driving licence will be needed for the examiner to fill in the pass certificate. You need to send this to DVLA with your provisional licence, and you will receive your full licence in a few days. You can drive on your own in the meantime providing you keep a record of your 'Driver Number'.

Booking your Practical Test
Call the Driving Standards Agency on 0870 010 1372, or book online. The current fee is £56.50.