The Practical Driving Test
The driving test for a car is designed for you to show you understand and can demonstrate your knowledge of the Highway Code and the theory of driving safely. Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises.

The car practical driving test
The driving test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you:

• can drive safely in different road and traffic conditions
• know The Highway Code and can demonstrate this through your driving

After meeting your examiner, your licence and address details will be checked, and you will be asked to sign a statement confirming that the car you will be driving for the test is roadworthy and correctly insured, and that you have been resident in the UK for at least 185 days in the last 12 months.  The next two stages are:

• an eyesight check – if you fail this, your test will not continue
• your examiner will ask you two questions about carrying out vehicle safety checks

You'll be asked one 'show me' and one 'tell me' question. One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded.
You can find source material in the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) publication 'The official guide to Driving - the essential skills' and 'The official DSA guide to learning to drive'.

Driving ability
The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes during which you will be examined on your general driving and ability to reverse your vehicle safely. One exercise 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.
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. However, if at any time your examiner considers your driving to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.

Independent driving section of the practical test

Your practical driving test will include approximately ten minutes of independent driving. This is designed to assess your ability to drive safely while making decisions independently.
During your test you’ll have to drive independently by either following:

• traffic signs
• a series of directions
• a combination of both

To help you understand where you are going when following verbal directions, the examiner will show you a diagram.
It doesn't matter if you don't remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers.
Independent driving is not a test of your orientation and navigation skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions - this includes deciding when it’s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you’re going.

The independent driving route

If you ask for a reminder of the directions, the examiner will confirm them to you.
If you go off the independent driving route it won’t affect the result of your test unless you commit a driving fault.
If you go off the route or take a wrong turning, the examiner will help you to get back on the route and continue with the independent driving.
If there are poor or obscured traffic signs, the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next traffic sign - you won’t need to have a detailed knowledge of the area.
You can’t use a sat nav for independent driving as it gives you turn-by-turn prompts. Independent driving tests how you make your own decisions.

For more information about Independent Driving see this video:

Special needs

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has procedures to identify special needs and disabilities when tests are booked online or over the phone. The examiner then knows which type of special needs you have so reasonable adjustment can be made.
For the independent driving section, this could be by asking you which method you prefer - following traffic signs or a series of directions (a maximum of three), which are supported by a diagram. In some cases this may be shortened to just two directions.
Driving examiners are very experienced at dealing with candidates who speak little or no English. For example, sometimes they will write place names so it is clear to you where you’re being asked to drive to.
You can have an interpreter along with you on your test if you wish. Your approved driving instructor can act as your interpreter.

Driving test standards
All examiners are trained to carry out the test to the same standard, they do not have pass or fail quotas. So as long as you demonstrate the standard required you will pass your driving test. Full details of the criteria used by examiners are shown at the end of this document.

Weather conditions/ mechanical problems etc
DSA do not conduct tests in bad light or in adverse weather conditions for the safety of the candidate and the examiner. They will arrange another appointment at no further cost, but compensation is not payable. Candidates should call the telephone number quoted on the appointment letter to check whether their test will go ahead.If the driving test is not completed for reasons attributable to you or your vehicle, you will have to take another test at your own cost. 

How to book a practical driving test
Booking online

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)

Booking by phone
To book a practical test with an operator 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 from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Booking by post
To book a practical test by post you will need an application form. Application forms are available online or on request from the Driving Standards Agency booking line. 
Payment can be made by cheque or postal order, but cash payments are not accepted.

Special needs
If you require any special needs facilities at your practical test you will need to request these at the time of booking. 

Rescheduling and cancelling a test
You can reschedule or cancel a practical test either online or over the phone up to three clear working days before the test without loss of fee.  DSA counts Saturday as a working day, this means you can rearrange a test for a Tuesday on the Thursday before.

The online service is available from 6.00 am to midnight, seven days a week. If you prefer to phone, our Call Centre Agents are available to take your call from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday (except Public Holidays). Dial 0870 01 01 372 and follow the prompts.

Advanced Speech Recognition (ASR) system
For candidates who already have a practical test booking but would like an earlier date, they can access the Advanced Speech Recognition (ASR) system by dialling the booking line and following the instructions.  

ASR will enable callers to change their practical test booking to an earlier date where available, without the need to speak with a Call Centre Agent.  

The system is available between 6.30 am and 22.30 pm, seven days a week.  It is essential that callers have their theory test pass certificate number and their booking application reference number with them when they call. Dial 0870 01 01 372 and follow the prompts.

Reporting for your practical test
At the driving test centre

You must bring the following items with you to your driving test. If you do not, the examiner 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) if you are not exempt
• your appointment letter
• both parts of your photo card licence. If you do not take both parts of your licence your test will not take place and you will lose your fee. If you misplace your 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
• if you have an old style paper licence, from 1 November 2005 you must bring your paper licence and a valid passport

Remember:

• no licence
• no photo
• no test, and
• you will lose your fee!

Local Practical Driving Test Centres
Chester: 95 Bond Parade
Dicksons Drive
Newton
CH02 2ND

Crewe: 6 Nile Street
Crewe
Cheshire
CW2 7LL

Oswestry: Mile Oak Industrial Estate
Maesbury Road
Oswestry
8GA

Shrewsbury: 5 Yeomanry Road
Battlefield Enterprise Park
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
SY1 3EH

Telford: 35 Horton Wood
Telford
Shropshire
TF1 4FR

Whitchurch: The Lodge Paul Moss
Doddington
Whitchurch
SY13 1EP

Wrexham: Not Currently Operating

Driving Test Report (DL25) explained
Listed below is a list of the criteria you will be examined on during your practical driving test.

1. Eyesight Test
At the start of the test the examiner asked you to read a vehicle registration number. If you required glasses or contact lenses, you must wear them whenever you drive. If you had problems with the eyesight test, perhaps you should consider consulting an optician.

2 Controlled Stop
You will need to be able to display a high level of skill in bring­ing your vehicle to a stop, safely, promptly and under full control avoiding locking the wheels. Remember that in wet weather it can take twice as long to stop safely.

3, 4 and 5  Reverse exercises
You will need to display the ability to control the vehicle safely whilst reversing to the left, right, when parking on the road or into a parking bay. You must take good effective all round obser­vation throughout the manoeuvre and show consideration to other road users.

6 Turn in the road
You will need to display the low speed control and observation skills necessary to carry out this exercise safely with due regard for other road users and pedestrians.

7 Vehicle Checks
You will need to display to the examiner a basic knowledge of the fundamental safety checks applicable to your vehicle. For example safe fluid levels, lighting and tyre checks.

8 Precautions
Before you start the engine make sure that you are comfortably seated and all controls can be safely operated.

9 Control
This section covers, where appropriate, the safe and controlled use of accelerator, clutch, gears, footbrake, parking brake, and steering. Additional specific control elements apply to the drivers of different vehicle categories. Always try and use the vehicle controls as smoothly as possible. This means less wear and tear on your vehicle and a smoother ride for your passengers. Make proper use of your accelerator and clutch to make a smooth start. Always depress the clutch just before you stop. Select the correct gear to match the road and traffic conditions. Change gear in good time but not too soon before a hazard. Do not allow the vehicle to coast by running on in neutral or with the clutch depressed. There should be no need to look down at the gear lever when changing gear. Use the footbrake smoothly and pro­gressively. Brake in plenty of time for any hazard. Make full use of the parking brake whenever it would help you to prevent the vehicle rolling backwards or forwards, and if you are parking. Steer the vehicle as smoothly as possible. Avoid harsh steering, or steering too early or too late as it may cause you to hit the kerb or swing out towards another road user. If you are riding a motorcycle slowly, maintain a straight line and do not allow the machine to wobble towards other vehicles.

10 Move off, You will need to demonstrate your ability to move off smoothly and safely on the level, on a gradient and at an angle taking the correct precautionary observations.

11  Use of mirrors - Rear observations
Use all the mirrors fitted to your vehicle safely and effectively. You must always check carefully before signalling, changing direction or changing speed. Use the Mirrors Signal Manoeuvre (MSM) routine effectively.

12  Signals
You must signal clearly to let others know what you intend to do. You should only use the signals shown in the Highway Code if it would help other road users (including pedestrians). Always sig­nal in good time and ensure that the signal has been cancelled after the manoeuvre has been completed. Do not beckon to pedestrians to cross the road.

13 Clearance to obstructions
Allow plenty of room to pass stationary vehicles, obstructions and be prepared to slow down or stop. A door may open, a child may run out or a vehicle may pull out without warning.

14 Response to signs/signals
You should understand and be able to react to all traffic signs and road markings. You must act correctly at traffic lights, and check that the road is clear before proceeding when the green light shows. Obey signals given by police officers, traffic wardens and school crossing patrols. Look out for signals given by other road users, including people in charge of animals, and be ready to act accordingly.

15 Use of speed
You should make safe, reasonable progress along the road bearing in mind the road, traffic and weather conditions and the road signs and speed limits. Make sure that you can stop safe­ly, well within the distance you can see to be clear. Do not speed. Remember, as a new driver, your licence will be revoked if you accrue six or more penalty points during the first two years, and you will have to retake and pass both theory and practical tests.

16 Following distance
Always keep a safe distance between yourself and other vehicles. Remember, on wet or slippery roads it takes much longer to stop. When you stop in traffic queues leave sufficient space to pull out if the vehicle in front has problems.

17 Maintain progress
In order to pass your test you must show that you can drive at a realistic speed appropriate to the road and traffic conditions. You should approach all hazards at a safe, controlled speed, without being over cautious or interfering with the progress of other traf­fic. Always be ready to move away from junctions as soon as it is safe and correct to do so. Driving excessively slowly can cre­ate dangers for yourself and other drivers.

18  Junctions (including Roundabouts)
You should be able to judge the correct speed of approach so that you can enter a junction safely and stop if necessary. Position your vehicle correctly. Use the correct lane. If you are turning right, keep as near to the centre of the road as is safe. Avoid cutting the corner when turning right. If turning left, keep over to the left and do not swing out. Watch out for cyclists and motorcyclists coming up on your left and pedestrians who are crossing. You must take effective observation before moving into a junction and make sure it is safe before proceeding.

19 Judgement
Only overtake when it is safe to do so. Allow enough room when you are overtaking another vehicle. Cyclists and motorcyclists need as much space as other vehicles, they can wobble or swerve suddenly. Do not cut in too quickly after overtaking. Take care when the width of the road is restricted or when the road narrows. If there is an obstruction on your side or not enough room for two vehicles to pass safely, be prepared to wait and let the approaching vehicles through. When you turn right across the path of an approaching vehicle, make sure you can do so safely. Other vehicles should not have to stop, slow down or swerve to allow you to complete your turn.

20 Positioning
You should position the vehicle sensibly, normally well to the left. Keep clear of parked vehicles and position correctly for the direction that you intend to take. Where lanes are marked, keep to the middle of the lane and avoid straddling lane markings. Do not change lanes unnecessarily.

21 Pedestrian Crossings
You should be able to recognise the different types of pedestrian crossing and show courtesy and consideration towards pedestrians. At all crossings you should slow down and stop if there is anyone on the crossing. At zebra crossings you should slow down and be pre­pared to stop if there is anyone waiting to cross. Give way to any pedestrians on a pelican crossing when the amber lights are flash­ing. You should give way to cyclists as well as pedestrians on a tou­can crossing and act correctly at puffin crossings.

22 Position / Normal stops
Choose a safe, legal and convenient place to stop, close to the edge of the road, where you will not obstruct the road and create a hazard. You should know how and where to stop without caus­ing danger to other road users.

23  Awareness / Planning
You must be aware of other road users at all times. You should always think and plan ahead so you can judge what other road users are going to do, predict how their actions will affect you and react in good time. Take particular care to consider the actions of the more vulnerable groups of road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders. Anticipate road and traffic conditions, and act in good time, rather than reacting to them at the last moment.

24  Ancillary controls
You should understand the function of all the controls and switches, especially those that have a bearing on road safety. These include indicators, lights, windscreen wipers, demisters and heaters. You should be able to find these controls and oper­ate them correctly when necessary, without looking down.

25 Eco Safe Driving (applicable from September 2008)
Driving skills should demonstrate recognition of the principles of Eco Safe Driving, including appropriate use of the vehicle controls (Currently only applicable to certain catergories of test).

26 Health Declaration
You must declare any change to your health status since you last applied for a licence. It is a criminal offence for you (or any­one else) to make a false statement in order for you to obtain a driving licence, and can lead to prosecution.

27 Residence
Normal residence means the place where you normally live and have personal or occupational ties. However, if you have moved to the UK from another European Country or European Economic Area (EC/EEA), you should not take a driving test or obtain a first full licence unless you have lived here for 185 days in the last 12 months and are still living here at the time of your licence application. You may be asked to provide evidence of this.

Typical Examiner's Driving Instructions
'Follow the road ahead unless the traffic signs or road markings direct you otherwise or I ask you to turn. Move off when you are ready'.
'Would you pull up on the left at a convenient place'?
'Pull up along here on the left just before/after...........
'Drive on when you are ready'.
'Take the next road on the left/right'.
'Will you take the second road on the left/right. This is the first road'.
'At the end of the road turn left/right please'.
'At the roundabout take the road leading off to the left, it is the 1st exit'.
'At the roundabout take the road leading off to the right, - the 3rd exit'.
'At the roundabout follow the road ahead, it is the second exit'.
'Very shortly I shall ask you to stop as in an emergency, the signal for this will be (demonstrate). When I do this, stop immediately under full control, as though a child had run off the pavement'.
'The road on the left is the one I would like you to reverse into. Drive past it and stop, then back in and continue to drive in reverse gear for some distance, keeping reasonably close to the kerb'.
'The road on the right is the one I would like you to reverse into. Continue driving on the left until you are past it, move across to the right and stop. Then back in and continue to drive in reverse gear well down the side road, keeping reasonably close to the right hand kerb'.
'Would you pull up on the left just past the...please'? 'I would like you to turn your car round to face the opposite direction, using forward and reverse gears. Try not to touch the kerbs when turning'.
'I would like you to pull up alongside the car in front, then reverse back into a parked position leaving your car reasonably close to the kerb, and complete the manoeuvre within two car lengths' .
'Pull up on the left just before you get to the stationary vehicle. Leave enough room to move away'.