The Practical Driving Test...
Once you have passed your theory test, your instructor will advise
you about when you should apply for your practical driving test.
It will take approximately 2 weeks to receive a test date - your
instructor will help you with your test application.
Your driving
test will take about 40-45 minutes and it is conducted from your
local driving test centre by a DSA examiner. Most of the test routes
involve town driving and if possible, single and dual carriageway
roads outside 30 mph limits.
On the day of
your test, you will need the documents listed below:
- Your test appointment card
- Your driving licence
- Photographic ID
On leaving the
driving test centre, your examiner will ask which car is yours and
then ask you to read a car number plate from at least the required
minimum distance. In 2003 a new section was added to the practical
driving test - 'show me', 'tell me'. Before getting into the car
the examiner will ask two questions relating to vehicle safety and
maintenance. If one or both questions are answered incorrectly,
one driving fault will be recorded. The questions fit into 4 catagories:
- Under the bonnet
- Inside the car
- Lights
- Tyres
The examiner
will sit in the front passenger's seat and explain how the driving
test will work. You will be asked to start the car and move away.
During your test it is likely that you will complete the following
manoeuvres:
- An emergency stop.
- The reverse parking manoeuvre.
- Two of the three possible slow manoeuvres.
- Demonstrate a hill start and an angled start.
- General driving on the chosen test route.
The examiner is looking for a competent and safe driver, but some
minor driving faults are permitted. Minor faults are errors that
do not create an actual or potential danger to other road users.
The examiner records these mistakes and if you make 16 or more of
these, you will fail the test. If you make a mistake, continue driving
and don’t worry. It may only be a minor error and it may not
affect your result. You will, however, automatically fail if you
make a serious or dangerous error. If you fail, the examiner will
explain briefly why you failed. You can reapply to take your test
again straight away, but you cannot retake the test within 10 days.
If you pass,
you will be given a pass certificate. Remember to send it to the
DVLA to get your full driving licence as soon as possible.
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