Practical Driving Test Day: What To Expect

The day of the test

Most driving instructors will pick you up about an hour before the test starts. This gives you some time to warm up and prepare for the test.

Your license

You’ll need to have your provisional licence with you otherwise the test examiner can’t test you.

Getting to the test centre

Leave yourself plenty of time to get to the test centre in case there is traffic or road works. Don’t get there too early because the centre can be quite busy (they’re testing people all day). It’s best to get there about 10 or 15 minutes early. Toptests.co.uk has more help for passing the driving tests.

Leaving the car

Before you leave the car to go to the waiting room, look around at where it is parked. This is where you will be starting your test so familiarise yourself and mentally plan how you will get out of the car park or parking space.

In the waiting room

No one likes to wait and often this is when nerves can set in. Try and have a chat with your driving instructor and get your licence ready to show the examiner. Your name will be called by your examiner and they’ll want to see your licence.

You’ll have to sign some paperwork and confirm your address. You’ll also be asked if you want to have anyone accompany you in addition to the examiner. You are allowed another person in the car but they can’t say anything or affect the test in any way.

Eyesight Test

Next is the eyesight test. The examiner will get you to read the letters and number plate of a car. You will get a few chances but if you really can’t read it then the test will stop and be marked as a fail.

At the car

The examiner will ask you two ‘show me tell me’ questions to prove you understand some basic car safety and maintenance. As long as you have prepared this part should be quite easy.

The driving section

This is when you’ll get in the car and you’ll be directed on a route around the local area so that the examiner can fully test you.

You’ll be tested on various road systems including junctions, roundabouts and one way systems.

Manoeuvres in the test

There are four specific manoeuvres you’ll be tested on, these are:

Reversing around a corner
Parallel parking
Turning in the road
Bay parking

Your instructor will have got you to practice these so hopefully they are second nature.

Emergency stop

Sometimes the examiner will ask you to perform an emergency stop. They won’t just ask you this out of the blue, they will get you to stop at the side of the road and prepare you first. You’ll be told very clearly what is about to happen and when to perform the emergency stop.

The end of the test

At the end, after the car engine is turned off the examiner will tell you the test result. They’ll give you a report and explain any mistakes that you made. If you passed they’ll give you a pass certificate.