The Driving Test
The Theory Test It’s best to start revising for the theory test at the same time as you start learning to drive, or better still, in the months running up to your 17th birthday, so you’re ready to take your theory test on your birthday. You can take your theory test from your 17th birthday, this means you’d have already passed your theory test or, you’ll be learning theory and practical driving at the same time and it’ll complement one another. You’ll also be able to understand practical driving easier, with new theory test knowledge. The Theory Test comprises of 50 multiple choice questions and 14 hazard perception clips. The Theory Test multiple choice questions have a pass mark of 43 out of 50 and the hazard perception clips 44 out of 75. Multiple choice questions can be flagged and you can come back to them, within the 57min time limit. You only get one attempt at each of the hazard percetion clips. You cannot review or change your responses. The cost of taking the theory test is £23.
Practical Driving Test The purpose of the practical driving test is to observe your ability to drive safely on the road without supervision. You must be able to demonstrate to a Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency Examiner that you have this ability or you will not pass the test. On the day of your test, you will need to have the following documentation: •UK driving licence. •Theory test pass certificate. •A car - most people use their driving instructors, but you can use your own car if it meets the rules. There are 5 parts to the driving test: •an eyesight check. •‘Show me, Tell me’ (vehicle safety questions) •general driving ability •reversing your vehicle •independent driving The test is the same for both manual and automatic cars.
During The Test The practical Driving Test will last up to 40 minutes (under normal circumstances), which will start and finishing at the test centre. The driving test starts with the examiner asking you to read and sign to confirm that you’re eligibility to take the test. You must show proof of your identity and you MUST produce your current driving licence to do this. As you leave with the examiner, they will point out a number plate and ask if you can read it. This will be position at 20m. If you’re unable to read a number plate your driving test will finish at this point. Once at the vehicle, the examiner will ask you one of the ‘Tell me’ questions. There’re 14 questions in total and you will only be asked one question. The drive itself, will consists of a range of roads with different layouts and speed limits and you should be able to negotiate any major junctions. Whilst driving, the examiner will ask you a ‘Show Me’ question. There’re 7 questions in total and you will again, only be asked one question. You will not be asked to use Motorways. Through-out the drive you will have to successfully perform one of the following reversing exercises: •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 which you have to do) •Pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for approximately 2 car lengths, and re-join the traffic.
Independent Driving The independent drive is up to 20 minutes, you will be asked to follow directions from a sat nav, which will be set up by the examiner. One in five driving tests won't use a sat nav, you’ll have to follow road signs. The cost of taking the test is £62 if taken on a weekday and £75, if you wish to take it over the weekend.