What happens on your driving test?

What car will I be using?

You can choose to take the test in any car as long as it meets the requirements.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-test/using-your-own-car

Most people choose to use their instructor’s car, the same one they’ve been learning in.

What do I need to bring?

Your valid provisional licence is required.

A photo or scan does not count, it must be the original.

Glasses or contact lenses, if you need them to drive.

Disabilities, health conditions or learning difficulties

When you book the test you should mention these, as they may be able to help arrange some reasonable adjustments to the test to help you.

When you do the Eyesight Check at the start of the driving test, you can write down the number plate instead of reading it out loud.
You may be allowed to choose between signs and sat nav for your Independant Drive.

The test centre

If you are using your instructor’s car, they will usually plan a short ‘warm-up’ lesson before directing you to the test centre.

You should arrive at the test centre no more than 10 minutes early.

If you are more than 5 minutes late, the test is usually cancelled.

Wait inside the test centre, not outside. There will be a waiting area for candidates.

An examiner will call your name, check your licence, and ask you to sign a declaration.

They will ask if you want to bring anyone along on the test, usually your instructor. It’s a good idea to discuss this beforehand, but you can always change your mind on the day.

Taking your instructor can be helpful, especially if you are unsuccessful, as they will then have a much better idea of what went wrong and how best to work on it.
But if you’re nervous or easily distracted, it might be worse having an extra person in the car.

Eyesight check

You must be able to read the licence plate of a car from 20.5m away.

The examiner will ask you to do this outside the test centre.

You can try up to three times with three different cars.

If you have difficulty reading, you can ask for “reasonable adjustments” when you book your test, such as:

Reading a yellow (rear) rather than a white (front) number plate.
Writing down the letters and numbers instead of reading them out.

Before you set off

The examiner will ask you to lead them to your car.

They will then ask your first vehicle safety question (The “tell me” question).

They will ask you to sit in the driver’s seat whilst they check the condition of the car.

If the car is deemed not suitable or safe the examiner will cancel the test.

They will explain what is going to happen on the test.

Vehicle Safety Questions (Show Me / Tell Me)

You will be asked 2 of these questions during the test. One “Show Me” and one “Tell Me”.

The “Show Me” question will involve using one of the car’s controls.
The “Tell Me” question tests your knowledge of car safety.

Three of the possible “Tell Me” questions will require you to open the bonnet.

You can find the full list of questions at the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/car-show-me-tell-me-vehicle-safety-questions

Getting one or both of these questions wrong is a minor fault.

Even though it’s only a minor, correct answers make a good impression and that really does matter!

If safety or control is compromised whilst you try to answer the question, this can be a major fault.

During the test

The test lasts around 40-45 minutes, but can be longer if there is unexpected traffic.

The examiner will use a tablet to record details of the test.

Try not to get distracted when they use the tablet, it might not be a fault!

Follow the road ahead at all times unless the examiner, or road signs, tell you otherwise.

At an appropriate time, you will be asked your “show me” question.

You will be asked to pull over on the side of the road at least four times during your test. You must choose a safe place to pull over, and then move off again safely. You may be required to pull over more times if the examiner decides it is necessary. The minimum stops are:

Two normal stops
One hill start
One angled start, about a car-length from another parked vehicle

1 in 3 tests will include an Emergency Stop, chosen completely at random.

If you are asked to do this, the examiner will give you plenty of warning.

There will be an Independent Drive.

Independant Drive

This is a section of the test where you are asked to follow either sat nav or road signs.

If you are going to follow sat nav, they will get it ready before your test starts.

It can begin at any point, including at right at the start or end, and lasts 20 minutes.

The examiner will make it very clear when it is going to start.

The end of the test

You will be directed back to the Test Centre and told where to park / pull up.

The examiner will tell you whether you have passed or failed.

In any case, there will be a debrief where they go over anything you need to work on.

If you didn’t bring your instructor along on the test, they should really be there for this!

If you pass, they will ask if you want to update your licence, most people should say yes.

Only say no if it’s your only form of photo ID and you need to use it in the next couple of weeks.
You will be given a certificate, this is legal proof of your pass until your full licence arrives.

Manoeuvers

You will be asked to perform only one manoeuvre.

Reverse park (Bay)
Reverse park (Parallel)
Forwards park (Bay)
Pull up on the right and reverse

You may be asked to do the manoeuvre at any point, including first or last thing.

It might take place in the test centre car park, or another location along the test route.

It’s ok to make multiple attempts, but you are likely to be given at least one fault.

Finishing with a wheel touching a line is a minor fault, over the line is a serious fault.

Touching the kerb is usually a minor fault, impacting or mounting it is a serious fault.

You can adjust your mirrors down before starting, but you must remember to reset them.

Secure the car when you’re done. Don’t open the door to check your position, use mirrors.

To succeed in your manoeuvre you should:

Keep good control of the car, moving slowly and smoothly.
Make constant all-round observations, including over both shoulders.
Be able to tell whether you are correctly positioned.
Pause as other traffic is about to pass, restart once they pass or are stopped and waiting.

Emergency Stop

Only 1 in 3 tests will include the Emergency Stop, chosen completely randomly.

This can take place at any time during the test, somewhere relatively quiet and suitable.

The examiner will ask you to pull over beforehand and will explain the exercise.

The signal to stop will be a firm and clear verbal “STOP” and raising their hand.

The ABS might activate, keep your foot firmly down on the brake and clutch.

To avoid being given any faults you should:

Stay calm.
React quickly to the signal, not checking any mirrors.
Press the brake firmly, followed by the clutch.
Keep the car straight, both hands on the wheel.
Once stopped, secure the car (handbrake, neutral, feet off the pedals).
Before you set off again, make good all-around observations, including over shoulders.

Faults

Driving Faults (Minor)

Small mistakes, unlikely to be dangerous or badly impact other road users or pedestrians.

You can have up to 15 and still pass.

Getting the same minor too many times might upgrade to a serious fault.

There is no specific rule on how many times you can get the same minor.

A minor fault that badly impacts other road users might upgrade to a serious fault.

Examples:

Stalling when moving off
Incorrect “show me / tell me” answer
Signalling too early
Coasting

Serious Faults (Major)

Mistakes that could be dangerous, or show significantly poor judgement / understanding.

Any serious fault will result in a fail, though the test will usually continue

Serious faults typically involve a potential to badly affect other road users on your test

Examples:

Poor observations/mirrors at a busy junction
Driving too close to parked vehicles
Driving too fast for the traffic conditions, or speeding
Causing another driver to brake hard as you pull out into a junction

Dangerous Faults (Major)

Mistakes that have actually created a dangerous situation

Any dangerous fault will result in a fail, though the test will usually continue

The examiner will usually intervene when you make a dangerous fault

Examples:

Driving quickly and very close to parked vehicles
Pulling out in the path of fast moving traffic
Crossing oncoming traffic without looking
Changing lanes in busy traffic without looking

Examiner Took Action (Intervention)

Any intervention by the examiner will result in a fail

Intervention can be:

Verbal (“Stop!”, “Slow down!”, “Move right!”, etc)
Physical (dual controls, steeing, gears, ancillary controls)

Action may be taken to avoid causing:

Significant danger to any people or property
Significant disruption to other road users

Examples

Approaching a junction much too quickly, examiner tells you to slow down
The examiner uses the brake to stop you entering a roundabout that is not clear
While parking you fail to notice a car passing by, the examiner tells you to stop
You are about to drive too close to a parked car, the examiner steers you away

How does the examiner decide when to give a fault?

The examiner is looking for any deviations from the “expected outcome”.

This “expected outcome” is what the examiner would have done in the same situation.

If you do something different to what they would have done, they will consider:

Was it worthy of a fault?
Was the law broken?
Was there a lack of safety or control?
What was the level of risk? (Minor / Serious / Dangerous)

Breaking the law is a Serious fault, often this is due to not obeying road signs/markings.

Hope you found this guide useful!

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