Practical
Driving Test
Help and information on car vehicle
practical driving tests in the Uk.
Help on what to do when you have passed
or failed your test
Before applying for the practical
test, you need to pass the dsa theory
test. Your practical driving test
will start with an eyesight check
and some vehicle safety questions.
You will then start your Car practical
driving test which will include some
specific driving manoeuvres.
The driving part of your test will
last about 40 minutes. Throughout
the practical test your examiner will
be looking for an overall safe standard
of driving, including when you are
carrying out the set exercises. You
can make up to 15 driving faults and
still pass the test (16 or more results
in failure). However, if you commit
one serious or dangerous fault you
will fail the practical test.
The cost of gaining your Driving Licence
The
average cost of aquiring your
driving licence
Provisional
driving licence
£50
Average
lessons taken- £22 x 42
£924
Combined
theory and hazard perception test
£30
Two hour booking with instructor
on test day x 2 tests
£88
Driving
test - £62.00 x 2
£124.00
Total
cost
£1216.00
The practical driving test
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA)
is now able to offer tests outside
the normal test times at a number
of test centres at extra cost. This
provides customers a wider range of
appointments over an extended working
day.
Car Practical tests are generally
available at all permanent test centres.
Saturday and weekday evening tests,
subject to resources being available,
are offered at a premium rate. Non
premium rate tests are available at
various times between 7.30 am and
3.27 pm Monday to Friday.
The Car driving test is straightforward
and has been designed to see if you:
• Can drive safely
• Know The Highway Code and can demonstrate
this through your driving practical
test
What will the test include?
The practical test will include an
eyesight check (if you fail this,
your test will not continue). The
eyesight test 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. You will then be examined
on your general driving and on two
reversing exercises.
The reversing exercises will be chosen
from:
• Reversing around a corner
• Turning in the road
• Reverse parking
You may also be asked to carry out
an emergency stop exercise.
These are basic safety checks that a driver should carry out to ensure the vehicle
is safe for use. Although some checks may involve the candidate in opening the
bonnet to identify where fluid levels would be checked, pupils will not be asked
to touch a hot engine or physically check fluid levels.
As vehicle technology advances, more and more vehicles are being equipped with
electronic diagnostic systems, which inform the driver of the state of the engine
fluid levels and tyre pressures. It will be acceptable for a candidate to refer
to the vehicle information system (if fitted) when answering questions on fluid
levels or tyre pressures.
Candidates will be asked two questions, one ’show me’ and one ’tell me’. One or
both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded.
The Practical Test
During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should
follow. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include
a range of typical road and traffic conditions. During the practical test, the
examiner will ask you 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.
You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results
in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail
the test. 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.
When the practical 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...
If you pass and have a photocard driving licence issued after 1 March 2004 the
examiner will ask you if you want your full driving licence issued to you automatically.
If you want to use this service, 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 three weeks
of you passing your practical test.
If you pass your test but do not want to use this automatic service, or have a
licence issued before 1 March 2004, you will be given a pass certificate by the
examiner. On the back of the pass certificate it tells you what you need to do
next. This involves sending your licence and appropriate fee to DVLA who will
then check your application and issue you with a new full licence.
If you fail the driving 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 can take another practical test 10 working
days after your car or motorcycle test.
Driving test standards
All examiners are trained to carry out the test to the same standard, they do
not have pass or fail quotas. So as long as you demonstrate the standard required
you will pass your driving test.
Weather conditions/ mechanical problems etc
DSA do not conduct practical tests in bad light or in adverse weather conditions
for the safety of the candidate and the examiner. We will arrange another appointment
at no further cost, but compensation is not payable. Candidates should call the
telephone number quoted on the appointment letter to check whether their test
will go ahead. If the driving test is not completed for reasons attributable to
you or your vehicle, you will have to take another test at your own cost.
