The Driving Test

The Eyesite Test

You must be able to read a number plate (with glasses if you are advised to use them) from 20.5 meters. You will be asked to do this before your test starts. 

'SHOW ME'....'TELL ME'
Before the actual driving test begins your examiner will ask you to lead him to the car and perform two basic routine maintenance checks on your car. This could involve lifting the bonnet of your car so be sure you can locate and explain how to make the simple checks required. This is known as 'SHOW ME'....'TELL ME' . Click on either of the links to go to the official DIA website video's where questions will be answered.  

The Driving Test

The driving test is conducted by a Driving Standards Agency Examiner and lasts between 30 - 40 minutes. The routes are used to include a typical range of traffic and road conditions and starts and finishes from your local Driving Test Centre. On average you drive for about 8-miles during this period. The Examiner tests your ability to drive safely and competently and tests you on all that you have learnt during your lessons. You can fail the test if you commit a serious or dangerous fault, or if you have 15 or more driving faults. During the course of the test you will be asked to show the examiner your ability to do two set manoeuvres from the following four options:  

2/ Reversing around a left hand corner

3/ Reverse Bay Parking (At the Test Centre)

4/ Reverse Parallel Parking (Behind another car on the roadside)

 

From October 4th 2010 when independant driving will be introduced only one set manoeuvre will need to be performed 

The Emergency "Controlled Stop" proceedure will be done at random at the examiners discretion. There is a 50:50 chance you will be asked to perform this. You will almost certainly be asked to perform a Hill Start, plus several normal stops at the side of the road.........then asked to "Drive on" again.

Independant Driving 

Independent driving will become part of the practical driving test in Great Britain on October 4th 2010. During your test you'll have to drive by either following a series of directions, following traffic signs, or a combination of both, for about ten minutes. To help you understand where you're going, the examiner may show you a diagram.

It doesn't matter if you don't remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers.

Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions - this includes deciding when it's safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you're going.

If you ask for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will confirm them to you. If you go off the independent driving route it won't affect the result of your test unless you commit a driving fault. If you go off the route or take a wrong turning, the examiner will help you to get back on the route and continue with the independent driving. If there are poor or obscured traffic signs, the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next traffic sign - you won't need to have a detailed knowledge of the area. You can't use a sat nav for independent driving as it gives you turn-by-turn prompts. Independent driving tests how you make your own decisions.

The Independant Driving Route

Newspaper Reports

Some newspapers have claimed that independent driving would lead to a fall in the driving test pass rate. This claim is based on early research where conditions did not reflect the eventual design of the new element of the test. Subsequent trials with a larger number of participants and more closely reflecting the conditions in the planned new test showed no significant fall in the pass rate.

DSA Video

The Driving Standards Agency has published a short video on its YouTube channel explaining more about independent driving.

Independent driving video

Debrief:

Immediately after the test the Examiner will advise you if you have passed or failed. If unfortunately you have failed you will be advised where you went wrong and given a printed sheet with the details. This sheet will be useful to show your driving instructor to assess what further training is required. You can apply for another driving test straight away providing 10 working days has elapsed between each test.

The current cost for booking a driving test is £62.00. A test can be booked in one of three ways:

Booking by telephone:

To book a practical test on the phone you will need all of the above to hand.

Telephone: 0300 200 1122 Available 8.00am to 6.00, Monday to Friday, and 8.00am to 4.00pm Saturdays 

Special Needs:

If you require any special needs facilities at your practical test you will need to request these at the time of booking

Rescheduling or Cancelling your test:

You can cancel or reschedule a test up to ten clear working days before the test, without loss of fee. Later than that and you will lose your fee. this must be carried out by phoning the booking line 

The Test Vehicle:

Vehicles presented for the Category B test (car test) must be a four wheeled vehicle capable of a speed of at least 100 km/h (62.5mph) and be fitted with a passenger seatbelt, a passenger head restraint and an interior rear view mirror for the examiners use. L plates to the front and rear of the vehicle must also be fitted.