Practical Test
Your driving test appointment
Driving test centres vary in their size and layout - some are in shops, others in purpose built buildings.
Some have car parks, others have on-street parking. But no matter what the physical layout is, they all serve the same
purpose... The place where you will meet your test examiner to start and finish the drive.
The examiner's job is simply to watch you drive and complete a report on your performance - if your drive meets the standard you pass, if not you fail.
Driving test examiners do not try to trick you or to catch you out; in fact they will be as helpful as possible. If you are unsure about anything, just ask.
Because of the nature of the job, examiners sit quietly and do not talk unnecessarily as this could be a distraction for you - ironically, the silence is a distraction for some people, this is why it is important to complete a
'mock test' to get used to the testing process.
Sometimes the examiner's supervisor will sit in the back of the car - this is to ensure that examiners do their job fairly and efficiently in line with the regulations. You can also have your instructor in the car but he/she will not be permitted to speak - at the start of the test the examiner will ask if you would like your instructor to sit in. (Note: anyone over the age of 16 years is allowed to sit in on the test.)
Having your instructor along can be helpful, whether you pass or fail, because he/she will be able to give a clear and objective opinion of how you performed on the test.
The test
The test starts in the waiting room. Make sure that you arrive on time, otherwise you might lose your test and the fee. The examiner will come out and ask you to sign a form; he/she will check your theory test certificate and photographic evidence of identity. Your provisional licence will also be checked to ensure that it is current and valid for the vehicle that you are being tested in.
For car tests you must have either: a current-style photo-card licence or An old-style paper licence with a valid passport. The DVSA will not accept any other documentation as evidence of entitlement or identity.
For a full list of documents for all tests click here.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/PracticalTest/DG_4022541
After the document check is complete, you will be asked to lead the way to your car, on the way the examiner will check your eyesight by asking you to read a car number plate.
Before the drive begins you will need to answer a couple of vehicle safety check questions - then, while you make yourself comfortable in the driving seat, the examiner will note the make and registration number of the car and will check that it complies with the regulations.
Driving
Before you are asked to drive away the examiner will briefly explain the test procedure to you.
'You should drive in your normal manner. Follow the road ahead
unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise or unless I ask you to
turn left or right',
This simply means that you should drive normally, as you have been taught, following all the relevant rules.
Expect the examiner's language to be formal, but polite. For example:
'Take the first road on the left, please',
'I would like you to
turn your car around in the road to face the
opposite direction',
'I am pleased to tell you
that you have passed',
If you are unsure about any instruction, ask for it to be repeated. Do not however, ask questions about how you should drive the car as this will meet with a polite:
'Do what
you would normally do' or something
similar.
Manoeuvres
You will be required to demonstrate one of the exercises below (the examiner chooses exercise).
Independent driving
The test includes approximately up to 20 minutes of independent driving - to enable you to do this the examiner will ask you to to:
The independent element of the test is not designed to test your memory or navigation skills so if you are unsure about which direction to go you can ask the examiner
Your test will last for about 40 minutes and include a wide range of different roads and manoeuvres, including dual-carriageways where possible.
At the end of the test the examiner will tell you the result and briefly discuss the test.
When you pass, you will be able to apply for a full licence. Whether you pass or fail you will be given a report form showing the mistakes that you made during the drive; this will help both you and your instructor to improve your future driving performance.
Please Note
when booking your test, you also have to pay your instructor's normal hourly rate on the day of the test for the time before.during and after the
test, this is usually either 2 or 3 hours depending on which test centre is used and how far away you live from the test centre.
Driving test centres vary in their size and layout - some are in shops, others in purpose built buildings.
Some have car parks, others have on-street parking. But no matter what the physical layout is, they all serve the same
purpose... The place where you will meet your test examiner to start and finish the drive.
The examiner's job is simply to watch you drive and complete a report on your performance - if your drive meets the standard you pass, if not you fail.
Driving test examiners do not try to trick you or to catch you out; in fact they will be as helpful as possible. If you are unsure about anything, just ask.
Because of the nature of the job, examiners sit quietly and do not talk unnecessarily as this could be a distraction for you - ironically, the silence is a distraction for some people, this is why it is important to complete a
'mock test' to get used to the testing process.
Sometimes the examiner's supervisor will sit in the back of the car - this is to ensure that examiners do their job fairly and efficiently in line with the regulations. You can also have your instructor in the car but he/she will not be permitted to speak - at the start of the test the examiner will ask if you would like your instructor to sit in. (Note: anyone over the age of 16 years is allowed to sit in on the test.)
Having your instructor along can be helpful, whether you pass or fail, because he/she will be able to give a clear and objective opinion of how you performed on the test.
The test
The test starts in the waiting room. Make sure that you arrive on time, otherwise you might lose your test and the fee. The examiner will come out and ask you to sign a form; he/she will check your theory test certificate and photographic evidence of identity. Your provisional licence will also be checked to ensure that it is current and valid for the vehicle that you are being tested in.
For car tests you must have either: a current-style photo-card licence or An old-style paper licence with a valid passport. The DVSA will not accept any other documentation as evidence of entitlement or identity.
For a full list of documents for all tests click here.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/PracticalTest/DG_4022541
After the document check is complete, you will be asked to lead the way to your car, on the way the examiner will check your eyesight by asking you to read a car number plate.
Before the drive begins you will need to answer a couple of vehicle safety check questions - then, while you make yourself comfortable in the driving seat, the examiner will note the make and registration number of the car and will check that it complies with the regulations.
Driving
Before you are asked to drive away the examiner will briefly explain the test procedure to you.
'You should drive in your normal manner. Follow the road ahead
unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise or unless I ask you to
turn left or right',
This simply means that you should drive normally, as you have been taught, following all the relevant rules.
Expect the examiner's language to be formal, but polite. For example:
'Take the first road on the left, please',
'I would like you to
turn your car around in the road to face the
opposite direction',
'I am pleased to tell you
that you have passed',
If you are unsure about any instruction, ask for it to be repeated. Do not however, ask questions about how you should drive the car as this will meet with a polite:
'Do what
you would normally do' or something
similar.
Manoeuvres
You will be required to demonstrate one of the exercises below (the examiner chooses exercise).
- Pulling up on the right hand side of the road and reversing back 2 to 3 car lengths and then rejoining traffic on the left hand side of the road
- Driving forwards into a parking bay and then safely reversing out of it
- Reverse parking behind a vehicle
- Reversing into a parking bay
Independent driving
The test includes approximately up to 20 minutes of independent driving - to enable you to do this the examiner will ask you to to:
- Follow traffic signs
- Follow a series of directions given in advance (given with the aid of a diagram)
- Use a pre programmed sat nav supplied by the examiner
The independent element of the test is not designed to test your memory or navigation skills so if you are unsure about which direction to go you can ask the examiner
Your test will last for about 40 minutes and include a wide range of different roads and manoeuvres, including dual-carriageways where possible.
At the end of the test the examiner will tell you the result and briefly discuss the test.
When you pass, you will be able to apply for a full licence. Whether you pass or fail you will be given a report form showing the mistakes that you made during the drive; this will help both you and your instructor to improve your future driving performance.
Please Note
when booking your test, you also have to pay your instructor's normal hourly rate on the day of the test for the time before.during and after the
test, this is usually either 2 or 3 hours depending on which test centre is used and how far away you live from the test centre.
