What should you know about driving practical test?

After you pass your theory test you are eligible for taking practical test.

The driving test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you:

• Can drive safely
  
  
• Know The Highway Code and can demonstrate this through your driving
  

Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises.
Duration of practical test is approx. 40 minutes.

Driving practical test will consist of

• An eyesight check (reading a number plate that is a certain distance away)
  If you fail this, your practical test will not continue
  
  
• Vehicle safety questions -
  These are basic safety checks that a driver should carry out to ensure the vehicle is safe for use. Candidates will be asked two questions, one 'show me' and one 'tell me'.
  Although some checks may involve the candidate in opening the bonnet to identify where fluid levels would be checked, pupils will not be asked to touch a hot engine or physically check fluid levels.
  One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded.
  
  
• General practical driving test which will include some specific manoeuvres from list below.
  
• Reversing around a corner
  
  
• Turning in the road
  
  
• Reverse parking
  
  
• You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.
  

During the driving practical test the examiner will give you directions, which you should follow. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. During the test, the examiner will ask you to carry out set exercises.

Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it, 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.

Pass criteria –

You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the practical test (16 or more results in failure). However, 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 is over, the examiner will tell you whether you passed or failed. You can request feedback on your test from the examiner, who will then go through your performance during the test.

If you pass –

If you pass and have a photocard driving licence issued after 1 March 2004 the examiner will ask you if you want your full driving licence issued to you automatically.

If you pass your test but do not want to use this automatic service, or have a licence issued before 1 March 2004, 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.

If you fail –

If you fail the test you should ask the examiner for some feedback to help prepare yourself for your next test. Your driving report form will also show you where you made any mistakes.

We wish you all the best for your practical test.