Have a look at what the car driving test is all about.
KWIK PASS can help you prepare for the big day and have that freedom !!!
Our instructors have over 500 years of experience between them as well as ex dvsa examiners in our team so you are in safe hands !!!
The practical driving test slot is around 52 – 57 minutes in total, with you driving around for 30 – 45 minutes (unless the driving is poor and it is a risk to safety and that of other road users where a serious or dangerous fault (major) is recorded. It’s broken down into the following sections:
Your instructor should’ve already checked your eyesight. They will have given you advice about this if you need to wear glasses or contact lenses to drive. You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate. You’ll fail your driving test if you fail the eyesight check. The test will end.
The examiner will ask you questions about your car. This is nothing to worry about, and usually straightforward.
You’ll be asked 2 safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.
You’ll be asked the:
For the next part of the test, you’ll actually get behind the wheel and start driving. Your examiner will tell you where to go. They will take you on a route that includes a mix of different traffic conditions, but not on motorways.
The examiner will give you directions that you should follow. Driving test routes are not published, so you cannot check them before your test.
You’ll be asked to pull over and pull away during your test, including:
Your examiner will watch you driving independently, following traffic signs or a Sat Nav. During the independent driving part of the test, most candidates will be asked to follow directions from a Sat Nav (80% of tests will be following a Sat Nav). The examiner will provide the sat nav and set it up. You won’t need to set the route – the examiner will do this for you.
You can’t follow directions from your own sat nav during the test – you have to use the one supplied by the examiner. You’ll be able to ask the examiner for confirmation of where you’re going if you’re not sure. It won’t matter if you go the wrong way unless you make a fault while doing it. One in 5 driving tests won’t use a sat nav. You’ll need to follow traffic signs instead. You’ll be tested on your ability to drive safely.
This could either be a forward bay park, pull up on the right, reverse park on the road, reverse park into a bay. See the changes to the driving test manoeuvres.
Stopping. You may also be asked to do a controlled stop or perform an emergency stop too.
Once you’ve returned to the test centre your examiner will provide feedback on your test. Most importantly, he or she will tell you whether you’ve passed! You’ll only fail your practical test if you make 16 driving faults or commit a serious or dangerous fault.
If you make a serious/dangerous (major) mistake by putting your safety or other road users at risk the examiner will bring you back to the test centre. The test will carry on if you make mistakes that do not compromise road safety which as classed as driving faults (i.e minors) or serious faults which are low risk which do not affect road safety. The examiner will stop your test if your driving is a danger to other road users.
Your driving examiner’s supervisor might sit in on your test to watch your examiner’s performance. If you refuse, your test can be cancelled, and you’ll have to book another test and pay again.
Watch the step-by-step guide driving test video to find out what to expect when you take your test. You may want to visit the DVSA website for more information on the practical test.
