The Practical Driving Test: How to Prepare and What to Expect

When you take your practical driving test, you will need to demonstrate that you can drive safely in different road and traffic conditions – and that you know The Highway Code well.

It can be stressful with an upcoming test on your mind, which is why it helps to feel prepared.

Read on and find out what to expect during the practical driving test and how to prepare, so that you can give yourself the best chance of passing.

 

How Can I Prepare for the Practical Driving Test?

To prepare for your practical driving test, you should read up on and revise The Highway Code.

In terms of driving, you should ask your instructor to help you go over any manoeuvres or skills you feel less confident in demonstrating.

It's a good idea to visit the test centre in advance of your appointment to get used to the journey and surrounding area.

Make sure that you take good care of yourself in the run up to your test date by trying to get enough sleep and finding ways to relax.

Be sure to test if you can read a plate from 20 metres away well in advance of the test, too.

If not, you should book an appointment with your optician before your driving test.

 

What Happens During the Practical Driving Test?

There are 5 parts to the practical driving test. 

An Eyesight Check

The examiner will check that your eyesight is good enough to drive.

Remember your glasses if you need them!

You will be asked to read a number plate from 20 metres away – you will fail the test and the test will end if you cannot do this.

 

'Show Me, Tell Me' Questions

The examiner will ask you 2 safety questions, which are known as ‘show me, tell me’ questions.

 

Show Me

A show me question will require that you demonstrate how to do something.

This could be to wash and clean the front or rear windscreen, to switch on the dipped headlights or to sound the horn.

 

Tell Me

A tell me question requires that you explain how to carry out a certain action.

You may be asked how to check that the brakes work before starting the journey, or how to check that the headlights and taillights are working – you won’t need to physically check this as this is a tell me question, not a show me question.

 

General Driving Ability

To test your general driving ability, the examiner may ask you to do any of the following:

• Perform a hill start
• Perform an emergency stop
• Stop at the side of the road
• Pull out behind a parked vehicle

You will be asked to drive in a range of road and traffic conditions, but you won’t be asked to drive on the motorway.

The examiner will provide directions for you to follow.

Driving test routes are not published, though, so you won’t be able to check this before your test.

Try not to focus on any small mistakes, and keep driving as you have been doing in your lessons.

 

Reversing the Car

Your examiner will ask you to do one of the following:

• Park in a parking bay
• Parallel park
• Pull up on the right hand side of the road
• Reverse for around two car lengths

Take your time and go at your own pace as you carry out these manoeuvres.

 

Independent Driving

You will have to do about 20 minutes of independent driving, following either traffic signs or directions from a sat nav, depending on which the examiner chooses.

This is to test that you can follow directions using these methods.

Please note that the examiner will set the sat nav up for you, and you cannot use your own sat nav.

Your driving examiner’s supervisor may sit in on the test to assess your examiner’s performance.

Your test can be cancelled and you will have to book and pay for another test if you refuse this.

Just focus on driving as you normally would – the main focus is on driving safely, rather than going the right way.

If you find that any road signs are covered by trees, the examiner will be able to direct you.

 

What Are Driving Test Faults?

There are 3 types of faults you can accrue during the practical driving test:

• A driving fault (a minor)
• A serious fault (a major)
• A dangerous fault (a major)

You can get up to 15 driving faults and still pass, but any more and you will fail.

As for the two major fault options, you will fail the test with just 1 serious or dangerous fault.

 

How Long Is a Practical Driving Test?

The practical driving test can take about 40 minutes to complete.

 

How Much Does a Driving Test Cost?

The theory test costs £23 for cars, and the driving test costs £62 on a weekday.

On an evening, weekend or bank holiday, the driving test will cost £75.

The price for other vehicles varies.

 

When Can I Take My Practical Driving Test?

You need to be at least 17, have a valid provisional licence, and have passed your theory test to book the practical driving test.

You will need to pass your practical test within the 2 years that your driving theory test certificate lasts, or else you’ll need to take and pass the theory test again.

 

How Do I Book My Practical Driving Test?

You can book your driving test online on the driving test booking service via the gov.uk website.

You will need your UK driving licence number, a credit or debit card, and your driving instructor’s personal reference number if you want to check that they are available.

 

When Should I Book My Practical Driving Test?

You can’t book the practical driving test until you have passed your theory test.

You can book your practical driving test up to 24 weeks in advance.

You may choose to book your driving test early – as it can take months to find a slot.

This can give you a target date to work towards.

Either you can book your driving test, or the instructor can do this on your behalf once you are ready to take the test.

If you decide to book the test without your instructor, you must make sure that they are available at the time of your test.

If a registered approved driving instructor (ADI) books the test on your behalf, it is likely that they will be available on your test date – but this is not guaranteed.

Driving lessons are all about building up your confidence in advance of your test.

 

How Will I Know When I'm Ready for the Test?

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) says that there is no minimum number of lessons or hours of practice required to take the test.

Your driving instructor will be able to advise you on when they think you’re ready to take the test.

You can discuss your confidence levels with your instructor.

You may be ready to take the driving test if you are at the stage where you don’t need prompts from the instructor, are not making serious or dangerous mistakes whilst driving and can pass the mock driving tests.

 

What Do I Need to Take to a Driving Test?

You should arrive in good time for your appointment, and bring the following items with you:

• Your UK driving licence
• Your theory pass certificate
• A car

You do not need to get a replacement theory pass certificate if you’ve lost it.

You must bring a car with you.

This can be either your own car – if it meets the rules – or your driving instructor’s car.

You will not be allowed to take the test if the car does not meet the following rules:

• The car must be taxed
• It must be insured for a driving test
• It must be roadworthy
• It must have a current MOT

Of course, the vehicle only needs a current MOT if it is over 3 years old.

The car you bring must not have any illuminated warning lights on the dashboard and all of its headlights, brake lights and indicators must work.

Its tyres must meet the legal tread depth and be damage-free.

The car should have L plates fitted on the front and back, that do not block your view or that of the driving examiner.

The car must have two rear view mirrors – one for you and an extra interior rear-view mirror for the driving examiner.

The car should be fitted with a passenger seatbelt and a passenger head restraint for the examiner – slip-on types are not allowed.

These are just some of the rules that your car must meet.

Be sure to check the full list of rules for the car you bring to the driving test.

You should also remember to tidy the car before the test, and you may wish to give the car a clean too.

If you would like to learn more, be sure to refer to the gov.uk website.

 

What Happens When You Pass Your Driving Test?

When you pass your test, you can either have a new driving licence sent to you, or you can apply for your full licence yourself.

If you choose to have the licence mailed, then the DVLA will send it to the address on your provisional licence.