The DVSA Practical Driving Test Explained
The Practical Driving Test makes sure you can drive confidently and safely in different road and traffic conditions, and that you know the Highway Code (and can show this by the way you drive). It lasts about 40 to 50 minutes. Before you begin the driving part of the test, the examiner will do an Eyesight Check and will ask you a Tell Me Question about safety checks on your car. You’ll be asked a second Show Me Question (for example, showing how to wash the windscreen) later, while you’re driving.
Almost everyone gets nervous about their Driving Test you’ve done months of preparation and you really want to pass. Here are some tips to help you. It might sound obvious, but don’t take your Driving Test until you’re ready. Lots of people fail the Driving Test just because they haven’t taken enough Driving Lessons. There’s no point in taking the Driving Test until you are ready. You’re likely to waste your time and money if you take it too soon. Don’t worry if you think you should be making faster progress.
On average it takes people 45 hours of Driving Lessons and 22 hours of Private Practice to Pass. Almost everyone gets nervous about their Driving Test. Who wouldn’t? The driving examiner knows you’ll be nervous and will do their best to put you at your ease. Remember, your examiner wants to make sure you’re safe on the road that’s all. They’re not trying to catch you out or they will not ask you to do the thing that will fail you. If there’s anything you’re not sure about, just ask.
To pass your Driving Test, you’ll need to keep your nerves under control. Try these things to help. Don’t book your driving test at a time when you know other stressful things are happening, such as school exams. Make sure you try and get a few good nights’ sleep before your Driving Test you’ll feel more stressed if you’re tired. Avoid too much caffeine before your Driving Test. It might make you feel jittery and nervous. Arrive at the test center about 15 minutes before your Driving Test so you’re not late.
Be Positive and be Yourself, and Focus on Passing your Driving Test rather than Worrying About Failing it.
Please remember to take the right things to the Driving Test. Imagine you’ve been preparing for months, the big day has finally arrived and you get to the Driving Test center only to realise you’ve left your driving licence at home. Over 4,500 driving tests didn’t go ahead between April and March because people either didn’t take the right documents with them or took an unsuitable car. Not only will your dreams of being able to drive later that day be dashed, but you’ll also have to wait again for another test.
If your examiner sees more than 15 Driving Faults or 1 Serious or Dangerous Fault, you’ll fail your Driving Test.
If you fail your DVS Driving Test, you’ll be sent by email with a Driving Test Report showing the Driving Faults you made, and your Examiner will also explain to you why you haven’t passed. Although you’ll probably feel disappointed, listen carefully to the feedback because it will help you get things right next time. You can’t retake your Driving Test for at least 10 days, so make the most of this time you have. If you fail don’t worry just rebook one after the 10 days.
When you pass well done! You can now get your provisional licence changed to a full licence. Your examiner will usually send your details to the DVLA so an upgraded licence can be sent straight to you by post. For more details about how to claim your driving test pass, see GOV.UK. Your examiner will give you feedback on your driving test. Remember to listen carefully to this.
There are 5 parts to the driving test:
1 = An Eyesight Check
2 = ‘Show Me, Tell Me Vehicle Safety Questions
3 = General Driving Ability
4 = Reversing Your Vehicle
5 = Independent Driving
The Driving Test is the same for both Manual and Automatic Cars
You’ll drive for around 40 to 50 minutes.
You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of:
20 meters for vehicles with a new-style number plate
20.5 meters for vehicles with an old-style number plate
New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, such as AB51 ABC.
You’ll fail your driving test if you fail the eyesight check. The test will end.
You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions known as the show me, tell me questions.
You’ll be asked the:
Tell me question at the start of your driving test, before you start driving.
Show me question while you’re driving.
You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions, but not on motorways.
The driving examiner will give you directions that you should follow.
Driving test routes are not published, so you cannot check them before your test.
You’ll be asked to pull over and pull away during your test, including:
Normal stops at the side of the road on the Left or Right
Pulling out from behind a parked vehicle and a hill start
You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop
The examiner will ask you to do one of the following exercises:
Parallel park at the side of the road
Park in a parking bay – either by driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out
Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and re-join the traffic on the left.
You’ll have to drive for about 20 minutes by following either:
Directions from a Sat-Nav
Directions following traffic signs
The examiner will tell you which you have to follow.
They’ll set the Sat-Nav up for you. You cannot use your own Sat-Nav.
If you cannot see traffic signs
If you cannot see a traffic sign (covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one.
Going off the route
The examiner will not give you a fault for taking a wrong turn.
They’ll help you get back on the route if you do.
You can carry on if you make a mistake.
It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious.
There are 3 types of faults you can make:
1 = A dangerous fault – this involves actual danger to you, the examiner, the public,
or the property
2 = A serious fault – something potentially dangerous
3 = A driving fault – this is not potentially dangerous, but if you keep making the same fault, it could become a serious fault
Pass mark
You’ll pass your driving test if you make:
No more than 15 driving faults (sometimes called ‘minors’)
No serious or dangerous faults (sometimes called ‘majors’)
If you Pass your Driving Test -The examiner will:
Tell you what faults you made, if any
Give you a pass certificate
Ask you if you want your full licence to be sent to you automatically
When you can start driving
You can start driving straight away when you’ve passed your test. You do not need to wait for your full licence to arrive.
You’re driving examiner’s supervisor might sit in on your test to watch your examiner’s performance.
If you refuse, your driving test can be canceled and you’ll have to book another driving test and pay again.
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