The Practical Driving Test.
The easiest way to judge if you are good enough to pass is to ask yourself.. "Can I drive for 30 minutes without any guidance or mistakes?"
If you can't, then your not ready!
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the test!
Whats the pass rate?
Nationally its a dire 43%, but with our instructors its about 85%!
What car will i use for my test?
You can use your instructors car or your own car.
How long does the test last?
It's normally about 40 minutes, which is 30 mins of driving plus a couple of manouvres.
Vehicle Safety Questions.
You will be asked 2 questions about your vehicle. Please click on the link below for the full list.
To Book your Practical Test, click HERE
About the Driving Test.
The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes.
Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises.
You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test.
The test will include an eyesight check (if you fail this, your test will not continue).
The eyesight test requires you to read a number plate that is a certain distance away.
After the eyesight test you will be asked two vehicle safety check questions. (Please see the details on the right)
You will then be examined on your general driving and on two reversing exercises.
The reversing exercises 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.
During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow.
During the test, the examiner will ask you to carry out set exercises.
Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. 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 one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test. If at any time your examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.
Why people fail driving tests.
1. Acting improperly at road junctions.
A common reason for a test fail with junctions is going over the give way or stop lines. Coming to a stop over the line is of course dangerous. Approaching junctions too fast and lack of observation results in the number 1 test fail.
On approaching a junction, use your mirrors, slow down to an appropriate speed so that it gives you plenty of time to observe the road, other vehicles and pedestrians and carry out the MSM routine in good time
2. Manoeuvre - Reversing around a corner incorrectly.
Control, accuracy and observations are the key things to this manoeuvre. Hitting the curb, swinging wide and lack of observation is a common test fail for this. During the manoeuvre, use an appropriate speed. Keep it slow, giving yourself enough time to judge your distances correctly, use your mirrors and correct observation. Give way to all other road users as necessary. Don't forget to check over your right shoulder before turning!
3. Failure to make proper use of steering.
Remember to feed the steering wheel through your hands. Don’t cross your hands on the wheel, don't let the wheel spin back after a turn or drive with any hands off the wheel for any longer than they have to be. Use the steering freely and smoothly,
4. Manoeuvre - problems with parking
Reverse parking is arguably one of the trickiest manoeuvres. The purpose is to show the Examiner that you have good control of the car using clutch control, accuracy and observation. Keep the vehicle slow, giving yourself plenty of time to manoeuvre the vehicle accurately and to observe other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and stop if they approach. Don't forget to look over your right shoulder before each turn to check for any other approaching road users.
5. Failure to make proper use of gears.
Make sure you are in the correct gear before pulling away. When slowing down or coming to a stop, use the brakes to slow down and not the gears. As a general rule, move into 2nd gear as soon as you move from stationary, 3rd gear at 20mph, 4th gear at 30mph, and 5th gear at 40mph.
