Test day
What Do I Need To Take?
If you require any information on documents. Contact the DSA :- 0300 200 11 22
How long Is The Test?
The test will last about 40 minutes
What car Do I Use?
You will take the test in your driving school school car or take the test in your own car as long as it meets the legal requirement.
What happens on the day?
You will be picked up by your driving instructor an hour or half hour before your test appointment time. They will ask to see your documents. you will then drive to the test centre having a run through your manoeuvres to help you calm down & reinforce your confidence you will arrive outside the test centre about 20 minutes before your test. The first 10 minutes is used to run through see me tell me then need to be parked in the car park (if provided) 10 minutes before the test which will allow you time to go to the rest room if needed & be ready when the examiner comes out for you.
The Test
You will wait in the waiting room with your instructor or person that has accompanied you. There will be others just like yourself. You will need to have your documents with you. The examiner will come into the waiting room and call your name. They will ask you to sign the top of the driving test report form. This is to say that you still live at the same address (if not you should have filled in the bottom of the licence). And that the car is insured for the purpose of the test. They will ask to see your licence (both parts), check the signature and your theory certificate. You may ask for your instructor to sit in the back at this time. They will then lead you outside introducing themselves & lead you to a suitable place to carry out the eyesight check, read a number from 20.5 metres. If you have a problem reading the plate with this the examiner will get a tape measure for the distance & ask you to read it again, if you can't the test will be marked as failed. So make sure your optician appointments are up to date.
Having passed the eyesight check you will be asked 2 Show Me Tell Me questions
Having completed these the examiner will inform you to follow the road ahead unless told otherwise or road signs or tell you otherwise. They will give you directions in good time.
What Will I Have to Do?
You will be examined on your general driving & 2 reversing exercises. The reversing exercises will be chosen from:
You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise. You will be informed of this just before they ask you to carry it out.
What If I Make A Mistake?
During the driving test the examier 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 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 anytime 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...
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 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 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 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...
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 can take another practical test 10 working days after your car or motorcycle test.
Driving test standards
All examiner are trained to carry out the test to the same standards, 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 Problem
DSA do not conduct 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 futher 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.
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