PRACTICAL DRIVING TEST
FOR CAR DRIVERS

If you've been taking driving lessons from a professional instructor (highly advisable - nine out of ten learners who passed the practical test on their first attempt were taught by an Approved Driving Instructor) he/she will probably book your practical driving test for you.

If you prefer, you can book it yourself. The easiest way to do this is to book your practical driving test online

Or you can book by phone or post

Your instructor will probably go with you to your nearest practical test centre

You must take with you both parts of your photo driving licence and your theory test pass certificate. If you have an old style paper licence you must also take a valid passport as identity.

After your documents have been checked you'll be asked if you want your driving instructor to be present during the test. It's advisable to say yes so that, if you fail, he/she will know what to work on in future lessons.

You can see a video about taking your driving instructor on the test

Now the driving test starts. It lasts about 40 minutes.

First is the eyesight test. If you fail this the test won't continue and you'll lose your fee.

Then you'll be asked some basic vehicle safety and maintenance questions in the form of show me - tell me

Now you'll go out on the road and drive in various road and traffic conditions and also be asked to drive independently for about 10 minutes.

You'll also be asked to carry out one of these reversing manoeuvres

	turn in the road
	parallel parking at the roadside or in a bay at the test centre
	reversing around a corner

On several occasions your examiner will ask you to stop on the left by the kerb and then move off again to see if you can do this safely.

You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop. The examiner will ask one in three people, at random, to do this excercise.

If you drive to the standard required you will pass. If you make more than 15 driving faults, or commit 1 serious or dangerous fault, you will fail.

Pass or fail, your examiner, at the end of the test, will give you some feedback on your driving.

If you pass, you may be able to have your full licence sent to you automatically. To do this you'll need to leave your provisional licence with your examiner. You should receive your full licence within 3 weeks.

If you fail your test you must wait ten clear working days before taking it again.