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 questions. 

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

1/ Turning in the road (Commonly referred to as a THREE POINT TURN)
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)

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.

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.

Booking:
The current cost for booking a driving test is £56.50. A test can be booked in one of three ways:

Booking on line:
To book online online you will need:
A valid uk driving licence
A theory test certificate number
A valid debit or credit card for payment ( Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa Electron, Switch/ Maestro, and Solo are accepted)

Booking by telephone:
To book a practical test on the phone you will need all of the above to hand.
Phone: 0870 0101 372 Available 8.00am to 6.00, Monday to Friday, and 8.00am to 4.00pm Saturdays

Booking by post:
To book a practical test by post you will need an application form, available online, from a driving test centre or from me. Payment may be made by cheque or postal order but cash is not accepted.

Contact Details Address:
Driving Standards Agency
PO Box 280
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE99 1FP

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.