Practical Test Information
Useful information about the practical driving test
If you're thinking of learning to drive, there are a few things you'll need to know before starting your driving lessons.
First of all you'll need to obtain your provisional driving licence. This can be done online via the gov.uk website here
About the test
The Practical Driving Test will last for 45 minutes - during the test the examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.
The test will start in the waiting room where you will have to produce both parts of your driving licence and sign an insurance declaration to say the car is insured for the Driving Test. You will then have your eyesight checked and will be asked two vehicle safety questions before you start driving.
The driving examiner will allow you up to 15 minor faults before failing. 1 serious fault or 1 dangerous fault will result in a fail!
During the test you will be examined on your general driving and one reversing exercise. The exercise will be chosen from:
- Turning in the road
- Reverse parking
- Reversing around a corner
You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.
Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it as it might be a less serious driving fault and may not affect your result. However, if at any time your examiner considers your driving to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.
Your test will also include around 20 minutes of Independent Driving, where you will either follow directions from a sat nav or traffic signs.
You can access our Revision Area for notes about driving manoeuvres, hazard perception and the "Show Me, Tell Me" Questions.
