The Practical Test

Before you take your Practical Test
By the time you are ready to take your practical test, which is the final part of learning to drive, you should;

• Have applied for and received, your provisional driving licence. 
• Have also had a full “potential to drive assessment” to confirm that you will be able to drive if you pass your test. This could include any adaptations that you might need to enable you to drive.
• Have passed your theory test.

 You are ready. 
When the driving instructor feels that your driving ability has reached the required standard, then you will need to book a practical test. This test involves you driving on the road with an examiner to prove that you can drive a car safely in different road and traffic conditions. It also shows that you know and can apply the Highway Code when you are driving. 

On the Day of your Driving Test

• You will need to show your pass certificate from your theory test
• You will need both parts of your driving licence (photo card and paper counterpart)
• You will also need to be in an appropriately insured and licenced vehicle, either your own or the instructor’s and the car must have “L” plated displayed.

The Driving Test

• Sight Test. When the test starts the examiner will ask you to read a number plate on a parked vehicle. If you are unable to read the plate correctly you will have the chance to read a second plate. If on the third attempt you are still unable to read these your Practical Test will be over and unfortunately you will have failed.
• Show Me, Tell Me. You will be asked two questions relating to specific vehicle safety or maintenance checks. 
• Driving. This should last about 40 minutes. You will be given directions which you must follow and you will come across different road and traffic conditions throughout the test. The test will also include some independent driving. The examiner should know about your specific special needs.
• Manoeuvres. You will be asked to carry out a number of specific manoeuvres which could include, an emergency stop, turning in the road, reversing around a corner and reverse parking.
• The Result .Once you are back at the Test Centre and your test has finished, the examiner will tell you whether or not you have passed and how you did. If you pass you can start driving straight away. Your examiner will give you a Pass Certificate. If you choose to have your full licence sent to you automatically then they will take your licence, scan it and send the details to the DVLA. You should receive your full licence within 4 weeks. If you do not pass then you can take another test but there must be 10 working days between tests.