Practical
What will happen:
The car driving test lasts about 40 minutes. To pass, you must receive no more than 15 minor faults and no serious or dangerous faults.
Arrive at the test centre in good time and park your car facing out so at that, at the beginning of the test, you can move out forwards - much better than having to reverse out!
You will wait for the examiner in a waiting room. If you are excessively nervous, take the time to relax with a few deep breathing excercises.
When the examiner comes out, he/she will call your name. He will ask to see your driving licence (which he will check for authenticity) and request that you sign a declaration stating that your car is insured for the purpose of the test. If you are using your own or a friend's/parent's car, check with the insurance company before going to the test. If you are using your instructor's car, this insurance should have been arranged by him/her.
When the paperwork is complete, the examiner will ask you to show him/her to your car. When you get outside, he will do the eyesight test. This test requires you to be able to read a new style number plate from 20 metres (old style, 20.5 metres). The examiner will tell you where to stand and will point out a stationary car for you to tell him the number. If you have difficulty reading or can't speak English, you may copy down what you see. For more details on the eyesight test click 'here'.
When the eyesight test is completed, take the instructor to your car. He will now ask the 'show me and tell me' element of the test.
After the questions you will prepare to drive off. Before moving away, the examiner will briefly explain what he wants you to do, in other words follow the road ahead until he tells you otherwise. For details of how he will explain which way to turn at junctions etc., go to the relevent lesson in this site.
It is quite common for the examiner to ask you to perform the bay park manoeuvre as the first part of the test before you leave the car park. If this is the case, he will explain to you that he wants you to move out of the bay to the left or right and reverse back in.
Once you are out on the road you will be required to perform various manoeuvres. These are explained in the 'Lessons' part of this site. This manoeuvres must be performed in order for the examiner to give you a pass or fail. If, for any reason, such as heavy traffic or bad weather, you are unable to complete these manoeuvres in the time allotted for the test, the test will have to be abandoned and you will need to re-book for another day. If it is not your fault, there should be no charge for this.
When you return to the test centre at the end of the test you will be asked to park and switch off the engine. You may be asked to reverse into the parking bay - if this is the case, remember this manoeuvre is part of the test and you will be marked on it. Do not assume you have finished the test until the examiner has told you to switch the engine off and relax.
At this point, the examiner will finish his marking sheet and advise you if you have passed or failed.
If you failed:
If you fail, the examiner will tell you that you haven't passed and offer to explain the reasons why. Even though you will be disappointed and not much feel like listening to the criticism, it is important to do so in order to understand the issues you need to get right for your next attempt. Ask for your instructor to sit in on this de-brief - it will help him organise your correction lessons. The examiner will give you a sheet giving your test faults. Take this with you to your next driving lesson.
If you passed:
The examiner will inform you that you've passed and, usually, offer his congratulations! Although you may feel elated, listen to what he tells you. He will now issue your pass certificate and explain how to get your driving licence. He will also talk you through any small mistakes you made on your test - take these in, even though you passed they are important.
Whether you pass or fail, we strongly recommend you are driven home by the person who accompanied you to the test. Elation or disappointment isn't a good frame of mind for you to do the driving in!
For more information on the test and how to prepare for it, the DSA (the government department that sets and runs driving tests) have issued a DVD titled "Prepare for your Practical Driving Test". You can buy this at many book shops as well as 'here'. In our opinion, it is well worth the investment.
For further information on the practical test from the DSA, click 'here'.
