About the Practical Driving Test
The driving test will include an eyesight check that 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 (known as Show Me, Tell Me). These are basic safety checks that you should carry out to ensure that your car is safe drive. Some checks may involve you opening the bonnet to identify where fluid levels would be checked. You will not be asked to touch a hot engine or physically check fluid levels.
You will then be examined on your general driving, reversing exercises and independent driving. You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.
What happens during the driving test?
During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow. The test routes you follow will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. During the test, you will be asked 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.
The practical driving part should last about 40 minutes. During the test the examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving. You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test but just one serious or dangerous fault will mean a failure. If at any time your examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.
You are allowed to take someone with you on the test, this person must be over 16 years old and cannot take any part in the test.
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 the test and have a photocard driving licence the examiner will take your old licence off you, scan the details and send them electronically to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You will then be given a pass certificate to prove you passed your test. DVLA will then send you your new full licence by post within four weeks of you passing your practical test.
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. You must wait at least 10 working days before you take your next test.
When and where can I take my test?
Practical driving tests are available between 7.30 am and 3.27 pm Monday to Friday. You can also book a test for a Saturday but will pay slight more.
Booking the Driving Test
We book the driving test for you as part of your Intensive Driving Course but if you prefer to book your test for yourself you can do so online, by phone or by post.
Appointments can be can be changed and cancelled online or via phone with 3 working days notice.
Booking online
To book a test online you will need:
- a valid UK provisional driving licence
- a driving theory test certificate number
- a valid debit or credit card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa Electron, Switch/Maestro and Solo cards are accepted)
Booking by phone
You can book a practical test over the phone by calling 0300 200 1122 from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday
To book a practical test over the phone you will need:
- a valid UK provisional driving licence
- a driving theory test certificate number
- a valid debit or credit card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa Electron, Switch/Maestro and Solo cards are accepted).
Provisional Driving Licence
Before you can learn to drive you must have a provisional driving licence.
You can apply for your provisional driving licence up to 2 months before your 17th birthday but you must not drive on the road until your licence has arrived and not until the day of your 17th birthday.
To get your provisional licence you must complete a driving licence application and photo card application form D1 which you can get from your local post office. The application fee for your licence is current £50.
If you do not wish to send your identity documents through the post, a premium service for checking photocard applications is available at selected post office branches. Your application can be checked for accuracy and completeness and your identity documents returned to you immediately. The premium service fee is £4 and is in addition to the standard driving licence fee for applications sent direct to DVLA.
More information about licensing requirements can be found in the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) leaflet D100 “What you need to know about driving licences” which is available at Post Offices.
Other information can be found at the DVLA website.
