Once you have passed the on screen theory test you can apply for the practical driving test. However, you must be able to drive with minimal assistance from your driving instructor before you take the test.
The examiner will ask you to read the number plate on a parked vehicle to test your eyesight. If you fail the check, your driving test won't continue.
You'll be asked two vehicle safety questions. These are also known as the 'show me, tell me' questions.
The examiner will ask you one 'show me' question, where you'll have to show them how you'd carry out a vehicle safety check. You'll also be asked one 'tell me' question, where you'll have to explain to the examiner how you'd carry out the check.
For example, the examiner might ask you to identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell them how you'd check the windscreen washer level.
If you give the wrong answer for one or both questions, you'll be marked with one driving fault.
Don't worry if you make a mistake - it might be a less serious driving fault and might not affect your result
The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes. Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.
During your test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow. You'll drive in various road and traffic conditions. You should drive in the way your instructor has trained you.
You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.
You'll be asked to complete an exercise to show how well you can reverse your vehicle. The examiner will choose one exercise from:
Your driving test will include around ten minutes of independent driving. This is designed to assess your ability to drive safely while making decisions independently.
If you make a mistake, don't worry about it as it might be a less serious driving fault and might not affect your result. However, if at any time your examiner considers your driving to be a danger to other road users they will stop your test.
You'll pass your test if you make:
When the driving test has ended, you can call your instructor over if they didn't go with you on your test. This is so they can listen to the result and feedback with you.
The examiner will:
There are three types of faults that can be marked:
You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test. If you make 16 or more driving faults, you won't pass your test.
If you make one serious or dangerous fault, you won't pass your test.