A quick slideshow to give you an idea of what to expect on the day of your driving test. For more information contact the Driving Instructors at http://www.rpldrivingschool.co.uk
Building a Budget by Jeff Allen and Josh Rodriguez
Whats Happens On The Driving Test
1. Before The Driving Test...
When you first arrive at the test centre, you will either park in the test centre car park, or,
if there isn’t one you’ll park on a nearby road. Once you have parked the car, make your
way to the waiting room with your Driving Instructor (or supervising driver), take a seat
and relax.
2. Before The Driving Test...
At your test time, the Driving Examiner will come into the waiting room and call your
name, they will then come over to you and ask you to sign a declaration to say that the
car is insured for the test. If you are using a Driving School car, this won’t be a problem,
but if you are using you’re own car, check with your insurance company first as some
won’t allow the car to be used for a driving test.You will have also need to have lived in
the UK for 185 days (roughly 6 months) in the last 12 months. They will also ask if you
would like your Driving Instructor, or supervising driver to sit in the back during your
test.
3. Before The Driving Test...
For addresses of the test centres local to RPL Driving, and how to book your driving
test, please look at the driving test booking page.
4. Vehicle Safety Questions
(Show Me, Tell Me)
Then the Examiner will ask you to head outside to your car, and at some point before
you start driving, you will be asked to read a number plate. If you cannot read it
correctly from the required distance (20.5m for an old style licence plates, and 20m for
the new ones), the test will be stopped. Also two vehicle safety questions will be asked.
One will be ‘show me’, the other ‘tell me’. A full list of the questions and answers can
be found on the vehicle safety check questions page. If one or both of the questions are
answered incorrectly, a single driving fault will be noted on the test sheet.
5. What Happens During Your Driving
Test?
You are allowed to take someone with you on the test, this person must be over 16 years
old and cannot take any part in the test, but can be your Driving Instructor. During the
test the Examiner will give you directions which you should follow if it is safe to do so.
Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical
road and traffic conditions. During the driving test, the Examiner will ask you to carry
out a reversing exercise and possibly an emergency stop. In addition to the normal
driving, the Examiner will ask you to do a short period of independent driving. For more
information on this, have a look at the independent driving section.
6. What Happens During Your Driving
Test?
Throughout the test you should drive in the way your Driving 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.
7. What Happens During Your Driving
Test?
You can make up to 15 driver 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. A driver
fault (sometimes called ‘minors’) is something that doesn’t cause immediate danger, but
this could easily change to a serious if another road user is affected. A dangerous fault
occurs when either the Examiner or another road user has to take action to avoid an
accident. If at any time your Examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users
your test will be terminated.
8. What Happens During Your Driving
Test?
When you get back to the test centre, the Examiner will tell spend a few moments
finishing off the test sheet. Then you will find out if you’ve passed or failed. You will be
given the option for feedback on your performance from the Examiner, which would be
useful for your Driving Instructor to hear.
9. If You Pass...
If you pass your driving test, and have a photocard driving licence, the Examiner
will ask you if you want your full driving licence issued to you automatically.
If you choose to do this, the Examiner will take your old licence off you, scan the
details and send them electronically direct to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing
Agency (DVLA). You will then be given a pass certificate to prove you passed
your test. DVLA will then send you your new full driving licence by post within
three weeks of you passing your practical test.
If you pass your Driving Test but do not want to use this automatic service, or if
you don’t have a photocard licence, you will be given a pass certificate by the
examiner. On the back of the pass certificate it tells you what you need to do
next. This involves sending your licence (and if needed, the appropriate fee and
form) to DVLA who will then check your application and issue you with a new full
licence.
10. If You Fail...
If things don’t go to plan, and you don’t pass, don’t worry. Listen to the feedback the
Examiner gives you, and ask for your Driving Instructor to listen in too. This will give
them useful information on what you need to work on. You will be given a copy of the
driving test report which will show you which faults you made. You must wait at least
10 working days before taking your next test, but you can book it again straight away.