Practical Driving Test

The Practical Driving Test lasts approximately 40 minutes.

At the start of the lesson you will be asked to read a car number plate from a distance of 20 metres (20.5 metres for old style plates).

You will then be asked 2 questions about basic car maintenance.

The test consists of various exercises which may include some of the following;

• Hill Start
• Angle Start (moving off from behind a parked car)
• Turn in the Road (3 point turn)
• Reverse around a corner
• Parallel Park (between to parked cars)
• Reverse Parking (into a parking bay)
• Emergency Stop

The test also includes driving on a variety of roads in various traffic conditions which may include;

• Speed limits from 20mph to 70mph
• Dual Carriageways
• Country Lanes
• Shopping Areas

You could meet any traffic situation apart from motorways.

The test is marked by the examiner recording any faults that you make and categorising how serious they are;

Dangerous Faults  (actual danger)        1 fault              Fail  

Serious Faults       (potential danger)    1 fault              Fail

Driving Faults         (any minor faults)      16 faults         Fail

Driving Faults         (any minor faults)      15 faults        Pass