UK Practical Driving Test (Cars)

Make sure you are at the test centre in good time for your test - however, as most test centres are very busy and parking is extremely limited and reserved for test candidates only, do not park in the test centre car park until 5 minutes before the scheduled time of your test so as not to disrupt other test candidates.

Before you go to the test centre, you need to make sure that you have the following;

1) A suitable vehicle in which to take the test. It is the responsibility of the test candidate to provide a suitable vehicle. The driving examiner will NOT provide a vehicle for you to take the test in. The vehicle used must be appropriately insured and licensed and must be displaying L- Plates. If you have been having driving lessons with a professional driving instructor, then you will almost certainly be taking the test in the car in which you have learnt to drive. If you have not had professional driving lessons, then you must make sure that the vehicle you intend to use for your test complies with the requirements set out by the DSA - Minimum Test Vehicle Requirements. If you don't provide a vehicle or if the vehicle you provide does not meet the minimum requirements, your test will be cancelled and you will lose the test fee

2) Your Theory Test pass certificate (if you have one), or the Theory Test pass confirmation print out you were given at the Theory Test centre when you passed

3) BOTH parts of your driving licence (photo card AND paper counterpart). If you do not take both parts of your licence, your test will not take place and you will lose your fee

If you have mislaid your Theory Test pass certificate this should not by itself stop the test going ahead, but if you do not take both parts of your licence or if you fail to supply a suitable vehicle, your test will not take place and you will lose your fee.

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You are allowed to take your driving instructor with you on the test if you wish. Anyone over 16 years old is allowed to accompany you on your test, BUT they cannot take any part in the test - they are not allowed to speak or distract either you or the examiner in any way. They must sit silently and still in the back of the car. You must tell the examiner that you would like someone to accompany you before the test commences.

Most people are understandably nervous before their driving test, but trying to keep as calm as possible and retaining a sense of perspective will help with the "ordeal". Driving examiners understand that test candidates are often very nervous and will do their best to put you at your ease. If pre-test nerves are concerning you, it might help to read the section on Driving Test Nerves.

When it is nearly time for your test, go into the test centre waiting room and wait for the driving examiner who will be conducting your test to call your name. The examiner will then ask to see your driving licence and Theory Test certificate and ask you to read and sign a declaration.

The examiner will then ask you to lead the way to your vehicle and on the way there, they will perform the eyesight test. If you fail the eyesight test, the rest of the test will be abandoned.

You will then be asked two vehicle maintenance questions ("Show-Me-Tell-Me").One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving (minor) fault being recorded.

You will then be asked to get into your vehicle and the driving part of the test will commence.

During the test, the examiner will tell you what they would like you to do and give you directions. If you fell that you may have made a mistake, don't panic! It's not the end of the world and it doesn't mean you've failed. Keep calm and concentrate on driving correctly and don't dwell on what you've already done - concentrate on what you are doing.

If you are not sure what the examiner wants you to do, don't be afraid to say so. The examiner will understand that you are nervous and will be happy to repeat or clarify any instructions given.

The new independent driving section of the driving test will test how you make your own decisions when driving. At some point during your test, the examiner will ask you to drive independently for around 10 minutes by either following traffic signs, a series of directions, or a combination of both. If you're asked to follow a series of verbal directions, you'll be shown a diagram to help you.

You will be asked to stop on the left several times - don't worry, this doesn't mean you have done anything wrong - the examiner is just testing your ability to stop in a convenient place and move away again safely under a variety of conditions.

You will also be asked to carry out one out of a possible four reversing manoeuvres (Reversing Into A Parking Bay, Parallel Parking, Reversing Around A Corner, or Turn In The Road) and possibly an emergency stop.

As the test progresses, the examiner will fill in relevant details on a report sheet (DL25).

The drive will last for around 40 minutes and will end back at the test centre car park.

The examiner will then total up any faults recorded on the DL25 and inform you of the result of your test.

You are allowed to commit up to 15 driving (minor) faults but no serious or dangerous faults. Repeated instances of the same driving fault would be classed as an habitual problem and be declared a serious fault.

If you commit even one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test.

For more information about driving test faults, please see Driving Test Faults

For more information about the Practical Driving Test please see - DirectGov - Practical Test For Cars Explained

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You will be driving the car for around 35-40 minutes. The routes used for driving tests are all designed to be as uniform as possible - all of them take in a range of typical road and traffic conditions.

The examiner will assess your driving and test you on most of the topics you will have covered with your instructor.

You will be asked to carry out one of the following manoeuvres;

* Reverse parking behind a parked car (parallel park)
* Reversing into a parking bay (bay park)
* Reversing round a corner
* Turn in the road

You MAY also be asked to demonstrate a controlled (emergency) stop.

Click here for more information on how to do all the driving test manoeuvres and the emergency stop.

At some point during your test, the examiner will ask you to drive independently for around 10 minutes by either following traffic signs, a series of directions, or a combination of both. If you're asked to follow a series of verbal directions, you'll be shown a diagram to help you. If you forget what you've been asked to do, you can ask the examiner for clarification and if you go the wrong way it doesn't matter and the examiner will help you to get back on track - going the wrong way or forgetting what you've been asked to do will not be recorded as a driving fault and does NOT mean that you've failed your test.

Throughout the test, the examiner will also be assessing your Eco-Safe Driving techniques, although failing to demonstrate eco-safe driving will not cause you to fail your driving test.

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