Practical driving test

Once you have passed the theory test, you can book your practical test. According to the DSA, people who pass their driving test have had, on average, about 45 hours of professional training combined with 22 hours of private practice. The average national pass rate is around 46%. The price is £62.00 if you take the test on a weekday or £75.00 if you take it during the weekend. You can either book you practical test online or by calling the DSA on 0300 200 1122.

The test will start with an eyesight check (if you fail this, your test will finish). The eyesight test requires you to read a number plate from about 20 meters distance.

After the eyesight test you will be asked two “show me tell me” vehicle safety questions (see following two pages). One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded. You can download the "show me tell me" questions here.

During the test, the examiner will ask you to carry out one of the following manoeuvres:

• reversing around a corner
• turning in the road (3 point turn)
• reverse parking

Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. The conditions typically encountered include driving in urban areas as well as higher speed limit roads including dual carriageways, but not motorways. The drive will include two or three normal stops at (and moving away from) the side of the road, in addition to a demonstration of moving away from behind a parked vehicle. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it, 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 results in failure). However, if you commit a serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test.

This simulation is performed by the examiner raising his or her hand and saying, "STOP!". The exercise is carried out on approximately one out of every three tests and aims to determine your ability to stop the vehicle promptly but safely during an emergency.

The test includes a 10 minute section of “independent driving”, during which you will have follow a series of directions, traffic signs, or a combination of both. The examiner may show you a route diagram to help you understand where you’re going. You may ask the examiner to remind you of the directions at any time. If you go off the independent driving route it won't affect your test result unless you commit a driving fault.

To pass, you must have no serious faults and no more than 15 minor faults. Your instructor will advice you when he or she believes you are ready to take the practical exam.

< Driving Lesson Prices

< Our driving instructors