The practical test explained

The driving test checks that you can drive safely in different road and traffic conditions, and that you know The Highway Code by the way you drive. Knowing what to expect takes a lot of the fear out of it.

The four parts

The test is the same in manual and automatic cars. It has four parts.

1. Eyesight check

You read a number plate from 20 metres away, or 20.5 metres for an old-style plate. New-style plates start with 2 letters then 2 numbers, like AB51 ABC.

2. “Show me, tell me” questions

You’re asked 2 vehicle safety questions: a “tell me” question before you start driving, and a “show me” question while you’re driving. Our show me, tell me guide has the full official list.

3. General driving and independent driving

You’ll drive on various roads and in various traffic conditions, but not on motorways.

For 20 to 35 minutes you’ll drive independently. The examiner tells you whether to follow:

• directions from a sat nav, which they set up for you (you can’t use your own)
• traffic signs
• or a combination of both

A wrong turn isn’t a fault. The examiner will help you get back on the route. If a sign is hidden (say, by trees), they’ll give directions until you can see the next one. Test routes aren’t published.

You’ll also pull over and pull away, including:

• a normal stop at the side of the road
• pulling out from behind a parked vehicle
• a hill start

You might also be asked to do an emergency stop.

4. Reversing

You’ll do one of these:

• parallel park at the side of the road
• park in a bay, either driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner says which)
• pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse about 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic

How faults work

Fault	What it means
Driving fault (“minor”)	Not potentially dangerous, but repeating it could make it serious
Serious fault (“major”)	Something potentially dangerous
Dangerous fault (“major”)	Actual danger to you, the examiner, the public or property

You pass with no more than 15 driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults.

If you make a mistake, carry on. It might not affect your result if it isn’t serious. The examiner only stops the test if your driving is a danger to other road users.

The top 10 reasons people fail

DVSA publishes the most common reasons for failing:

1. Not making effective observations at junctions
2. Not using mirrors correctly when changing direction
3. Not moving off safely
4. Incorrect positioning when turning right at junctions
5. Not responding appropriately to traffic lights
6. Not having proper control of the steering
7. Not responding correctly to road markings
8. Not responding correctly to traffic signs
9. Poor positioning on the road during normal driving
10. Not driving at a safe and reasonable speed

The full DVSA guide explains what you must be able to do for each one, with examples. It’s worth going through with your instructor.

Who’s in the car

The examiner’s supervisor might sit in to check how the examiner is doing. If you refuse, your test can be cancelled.

You can choose to have someone sit in the back, and to be there for your result. This is usually your instructor, but it can be a relative or friend. They must be over 16 and can’t take any part in the test.

Your result

If you pass, the examiner tells you any faults you made and gives you a pass certificate. You can start driving straight away. See After you pass.

If you don’t pass, the examiner tells you your faults. You have to book another test and pay again, choosing a date at least 10 working days away.