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TEACHING THE RESIDENTS OF FORMBY, AINSDALE, HIGHTOWN AND CROSBY TO DRIVE SINCE 2005.
 

Practical test for cars explained

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.

 

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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, 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 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'. Advice and information on how to carry out vehicle safety checks can also be found in the manufacturer's handbook. Candidates will be asked two questions, one 'show me' and one 'tell me'. One or both questions answered incorrectly will result in one driving fault being recorded.

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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. Currently two exercises will be chosen from:

  • reversing around a corner
  • turning in the road
  • reverse parking

From 4 October 2010 you will only be asked to complete one reverse exercise.

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.

From 4 October 2010, 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.

Independent driving and the practical test

 

Independent driving will become part of the practical driving test in Great Britain in October 2010. Find out what independent driving is and how it will be assessed during the practical driving test.

Which tests will include the independent driving or riding section

The independent driving or riding section will be included in the following practical driving tests:

  • car

  • motorcycle module two

  • large goods vehicle (LGV)

  • passenger carrying vehicle (PCV) tests

  • approved driving instructor (ADI) driving ability (sometimes called ‘part two’)

  • taxi

Independent driving explained

From 4 October 2010 your practical driving test will include approximately 10 minutes of independent driving.

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.

 

Taking someone with you on your driving test

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) encourages you to take someone with you on your driving test. This will usually be the person who has taught you to drive, but it could be a relative or a friend. They must be over 16 years old and cannot take any part in the test.

The person who goes with you will be able to see how you perform during the test. To get the most benefit from this, it would be sensible to ask your instructor to go with you. They can then give you advice on how to improve your driving, whether you pass or fail.

When the driving test has ended, you can call your instructor over if they didn't go with you on your test. This is so they can listen to the result and feedback with you. The examiner will tell you whether you passed or failed and will explain how you did during the test.

You can take another practical test ten working days after your failed car or motorcycle test.

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. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions.

 

 

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