School of Motoring

Driving Test

The driving test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you:
can drive safely, know The Highway Code and can demonstrate this through your driving.

Your driving test will start with an eyesight check and some vehicle safety questions. You will then start your practical driving test which will include some specific manoeuvres. Before the practical driving test, your driving examiner will ask you to read the number plate on a stationary vehicle.

Eyesight Check

The distance requirement for the eyesight test using old style number plates is 20.5 metres or 20 metres if the new-style number plate is used. New-style number plates are easily identifiable starting with two letters eg AB 51 ABC

Vehicle Safety Questions

You will be asked two vehicle safety check questions. These are basic safety checks that a driver should carry out to ensure the vehicle is safe for use. Although some checks may involve the candidate in opening the bonnet to identify where fluid levels would be checked, pupils will not be asked to touch a hot engine or physically check fluid levels.
Candidates will be asked two questions, one 'show me' and one 'tell me'. One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded.

Driving Ability

You will then be examined on your general driving and on two reversing exercises. The reversing exercises will be chosen from:
reversing around a corner
turning in the road
reverse parking
You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.
During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions.
Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it as it might be a less serious driving fault and may not affect your result. The examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving.
You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test. 16 or more faults results in failure. If you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test. If at any time your examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.

At the end of the test

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 tell you whether you passed or failed and will explain how you did during the test.
If you pass...
If you pass and have a photocard driving licence issued after 1 March 2004 the examiner will ask you if you want your full driving licence issued to you automatically.
If you want to use this service, the examiner will take your old licence off you, scan the details and send them electronically to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You will then be given a pass certificate to prove you passed your test. DVLA will then send you your new full licence by post within four weeks of you passing your practical test.
If you pass your test but do not want to use this automatic service, or have a licence issued before 1 March 2004, you will be given a pass certificate by the examiner. On the back of the pass certificate it tells you what you need to do next. This involves sending your licence and appropriate fee to DVLA who will then check your application and issue you with a new full licence.
If you fail...
If you fail the test the examiner will give you some feedback to help prepare yourself for your next test. Your driving report form will also show you where you made any mistakes. You can take another practical test 10 working days after your car or motorcycle test.

Booking your Driving Test

To book a test online you will need:
a valid UK driving licence
a theory test certificate number
a valid debit or credit card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa Electron, Switch/Maestro and Solo cards are accepted)

To book a practical test with a Call Centre Agent over the phone you will need:
a valid UK driving licence
a theory test certificate number
a valid debit or credit card for payment (Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Visa Electron, Switch/Maestro and Solo cards are accepted)

You can book a practical test over the phone using the numbers below, from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday.
Practical test booking line - 0300 200 1122

To book a practical test by post you will need an application form. Payment can be made by cheque or postal order, but cash payments are not accepted. Application forms are available online or on request from the Driving Standards Agency booking line.
To download a practical test application form, click on this link. There is also an information sheet available to download.

On the day of your test

You must bring the following items with you - if you don't, the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) may refuse to carry out the test and you may lose your fee:
an appropriately insured and licensed vehicle, displaying L-plates that is suitable for the purpose of the test
the appropriate theory test pass certificate (or confirmation)
your appointment letter or a printed version of your email confirmation
both parts of your photo card licence - if you don't take both parts of your licence, your test will not take place and you'll lose your fee
if you have an old-style paper licence, you must take your signed driver licence and a valid passport - no other form of photographic identification will be accepted

If you misplace your driving licence, you must apply for a replacement from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), which could take up to 15 days. If this happens, you may have to rearrange your test.