The driving test exists primarily as a road safety measure. It is not designed to find our if you are a good driver just a safe one. It is designed to assess all new drivers, to make sure they can drive safely and unaccompanied. The more driving lessons you have the better. Learning to drive isn’t easy but having patient instructors such as Tricia and Julie will make the whole process much easier and even fun. Driving variety should be the main objective of all learner drivers. The better the preparation, the higher the chance of passing the driving exams and gaining your full UK driving licence.

The practical test is about making sure that those who pass are competent and safe in the basic skills of driving. Before you take it, indeed before you book it, you will have to take and pass the theory and hazard perception.

WHAT TO EXPECT

At the start of the practical test, the examiner will come out and call your name. You will then be asked to read and sign the insurance and residency declarations while the examiner inspects your documentation. If all is in order, you will then be asked to walk to your car.

Before getting to your car, the examiner will ask you to stop and read a new style number plate at a 20m or an old-style number plate at a distance of 20.5m. If you fail to do this, the exam will go no further.

At the car, the examiner will ask you one “Tell me” question from the show and tell question bank and one “Show me” question  while you’re driving. To see all the show me, tell me questions and answers CLICK HERE. Fail to answer either question correctly and you will score one minor fault.

The examiner will now ask you to get into the car and prepare yourself for the driving part of the practical test. Get in and perform a brief cockpit drill. As you have used the car to drive to the test centre, the examiner won’t expect you to alter anything but they will expect you to make a visual check to make sure everything is as it should be. Don’t forget to put your seatbelt on.

The examiner will then give you the following instructions:

‘During the test I would like you to follow the road ahead at all times, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise, or I ask you to make a turn, which I will do in good time. When you are ready, move off.’

You should now start the engine and move off. To be successful and to pass, you must drive safely and demonstrate through your driving that you have a sound knowledge of the Highway Code. Don’t worry if you make a mistake, keep calm and continue driving. Unless you make a serious or dangerous fault, or make a less serious mistake a number of times, you won’t fail the practical test.

The duration of the test will be up to 40 minutes and will cover a variety of roads and traffic situation. You will have to deal with roundabouts, crossroads, pedestrian crossings and where possible dual carriageways, rural and residential roads. Test centre’s do have specific routes that they follow, but these routes are designed to include the widest range of driving possible in that area, and to give a consistent standard of testing across the whole country.

You will have to perform one reversing exercise: Parallel park at the side of the road, park in a parking bay – either by driving in and reversing out or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you), Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic.

You may also have to perform an emergency stop.

If you come to a junction or roundabout and the examiner gives you no instruction, you must follow the road ahead, for example go straight ahead at a roundabout.

If the examiner gives you an instruction which you are unsure about, ask them to repeat it.

The practical now includes a section of 20 Minutes independent driving. Its aim is to assess a candidates ability to make their own decisions whilst driving. It requires the test candidate to drive by following directions from a Sat Nav or following traffic signs, the examiner will tell you which you have to follow. They’ll set the Sat Nav up for you.

It doesn’t matter if the candidate doesn’t remember every direction, or if they go the wrong way – that can happen to the most experienced drivers. Independent driving is not a test of the candidates orientation and navigation skills, it is about being capable of making their own decisions whilst driving, about their route and how to safely navigate that route without prompts – this includes deciding when it’s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where they are going.

When taking the independent driving test:

• • If you need to ask the examiner for a reminder of the directions then do so. Once asked the examiner will confirm the route.
  • If you go off-route your overall driving test result will not be affected, unless you commit a driving fault. The examiner will also help you get back on the route so you can continue with independent driving.
  • If there are poor or obscured traffic signs, the examiner will give directions until the next visible traffic sign.
  • A detailed knowledge of the test route is not necessary.