The Test Itself

The Practical Driving Test lasts approximately 35 minutes and is conducted from your local driving test centre by a DSA examiner. When you go to take your Practical or Theory Test, you will need to bring your driving licence or some other acceptable proof of identity that bears your name, photograph and signature.

You will be required to sign your test form, after which you will walk outside with the driving examiner and be given an eye sight test (by reading a number plate). You will then walk to the car where you will be asked two of the 'TELL ME SHOW ME' questions. If you are not using your driving instructor's car for the test, you will then need to bring a valid insurance certificate for the car you will be using.

The driving examiner will assess your ability to drive competently and safely, and will test you on most of the topics you should have covered in your driving lessons.

You will be required to drive along one of the test routes which are designed to be as uniform as possible and to include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. You will fail the test if you commit a serious or a dangerous fault during the test drive. You can also fail if you commit more than 15 driving faults altogether.