When you’re learning to drive, you’re working towards taking your test so that you can drive independently. Whilst your test might be a far off thought, for some, it may be looming ever closer. However, we’re here to put your mind at rest. Taking a driving test may seem like a daunting or frightening prospect, but it doesn’t have to be! To ensure you’re prepared for the tasks you may be asked to do, we’ve put together this guide on what you can expect once you get behind the wheel. The main thing is not to panic - and we know it’s easier said than done! Remaining calm at all times will help you to concentrate on the instructions you have been given.
Before your driving test
Before you arrive at the test centre, you will need to make sure you have a number of things with you, so it’s best to check you have these the night before:
- Ensure you have your provisional licence with you. This is so they can verify your identity - you won’t be able to do your test without it.
- You must pass your theory test before you can do your practical test - make sure you bring the test pass certificate, just in case the examiner wants to see it.
- If you are using your own car, of course, you will need to bring that with you (ensure the car is topped up with enough fuel). You will also need to decide whether or not you want your driving instructor with you on the test.
It’s imperative that you double-check the test centre you’ll be at, as you won’t get a refund if you miss it. Leave home well before your test time to make allowances for traffic or roadworks. When you arrive at the test centre, you will be asked to wait in a waiting room with your driving instructor. After a short wait, you’ll be called forward to sign some forms and then you’ll be taken out to your car to begin the test.
When you do a driving test, there is a certain structure that they tend to follow. Your examiner should take you through the process so that you are prepared for what will happen. There are typically five sections to the test:
- An eyesight test
- Show me, tell me questions
- General driving ability
- One reversing manoeuvre
- Independent driving
The eyesight test
When you first leave the test centre with the examiner, they will ask you to stand in a certain area and read the registration plate of a car around 20 metres (five parked cars away). This is a test to ensure that you can see a certain distance in front of you, because if you can’t see properly in front of you, you could cause a serious accident. If you cannot read the plate, the examiner will cut the test short.
If you need glasses or contact lenses for your test, it’s important that you remember to bring them with you. If you wear your glasses at the beginning of your test, you must ensure that you keep them on throughout the duration of your test - if you take them off, the examiner will terminate the test.
Show me, tell me questions
These questions are designed to show the examiner your understanding of the car you are driving. You can either research or ask your driving instructor for some of these questions to practice before the test. You’ll be asked two questions before the practical test begins. They could both be asked before, both after or one before and one during. Some questions you may be asked include:
Show me questions
- Can you show me how you would operate the horn?
- Can you show me how you would demist the front windscreen?
- Can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
- Can you show me how you would open and close the side window?
Tell me questions
- How would you check that the brakes are working before starting a journey?
- How would you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash?
- How would you check that the headlights and taillights are working?
- How would you check the direction indicators are working?
Of course, these are only examples of the questions you could be asked, so it’s important to research and revise the questions you might be asked so that you’ll be able to answer confidently. It may be a good idea to ask your driving instructor to go through some questions with you so you know what to expect when you take your test. Questions usually vary and could include asking about components under the bonnet or components on the exterior of the car.
General driving ability
Once you get behind the wheel, the practical test has begun. If you’ve done a mock test with your instructor, then this should feel familiar. Although it can feel intimidating to have the examiner watching your every move, they aren’t going out of their way to fail you - they just to make sure that you are driving safely and have full control of the car at all times.
Once you leave the test centre, your examiner will guide you on where to go to begin with. There are a variety of routes that test centres use as part of the exam, so the roads you’ll drive along will depend on the test centre you have chosen. The route will involve a variety of roads and traffic conditions. At some point in the journey, your examiner may begin small talk with you - this is to see how you cope with distractions within the car and if you can keep your focus on the road whilst having a conversation. Some of the challenges you may come across include:
- Urban and residential areas: this will test your ability to adapt to changing road conditions and traffic.
- Junctions: junctions test your ability to observe the road and other drivers around you. You may be taken on roundabouts and junctions. This is one of the areas learners fail on the most, usually for observation skills.
- Dual carriageways: driving onto dual carriageways, tests your ability to merge and drive in faster traffic. Motorways won’t be included in the test, unless you take a Pass Plus test (which is a separate course).
The point of this test is to ensure that you understand the rules and regulations of the road and won’t be a threat to other drivers. During this part of the test, you will be asked to pull over when it is safe to do so at least twice - this is to make sure you do all the right manoeuvres, such as signalling, checking your mirrors and manoeuvering whilst not hitting the curb. If you touch the curb at any point during your test, it’s an automatic fail.
Emergency stop
Whilst you won’t always be asked to do an emergency stop, it’s good to be prepared just in case you are. If you are required to make an emergency stop, the examiner will warn you by telling you that when they raise their hand, you’ll need to stop as quickly and safely as you can. You won’t need to worry about looking around, as the examiner will ensure that the roads are clear and safe before you stop.
Reversing manoeuvres
During your test, you’ll be asked to do one of three reversing manoeuvers. Whilst this could be one of the most nerve-racking things you could do on the test, it’s important to take your time and check your surroundings at all times. One of three manoeuvers you could be asked to do include:
Pulling up on the right
Before December 2017, one of the manoeuvers was reversing around a corner. That is no longer a requirement and has been replaced with pulling up on the right. Your examiner will ask you to pull up to the curb, reverse back two car lengths and then rejoin traffic.
Bay parking
For this manoeuver, you will need to either pull forwardways into a parking space and reverse out or reverse into the parking space and continue on.
Parallel parking
This is where you park your car parallel to the road, usually between some other cars parked along the side of the road. This one can be a little bit trickier to do, so it’s best to practice before your test.
Independent driving
Once you’ve completed all of the tasks, you will then be expected to drive independently. You may either need to follow instructions from a satnav or follow road signs to a particular area. Both of these scenarios are pre-determined by the examiner. This section isn’t to catch you out if you make a mistake or take a wrong turn - it’s to assess that you are still able to drive without being distracted. So if you do make a mistake, don’t panic - remain confident and continue to follow the satnav. If you need to follow road signs instead, the examiner will ask you to follow the signs to a certain area. Again, if you make a mistake or a wrong turn, it doesn’t matter - it’s testing your confidence on the road. If you’re not sure where you’re going or you’ve forgotten where you’re going, you can ask the examiner to repeat their instructions.
Returning to the test centre
The route you take will eventually lead you back to the test centre, where you’ll be asked to park in a space and turn off the engine. The examiner might take a few moments to tally up your score, taking into account any minor or major faults. If you get one major fault, you will have failed the test. If you receive over 15 minor faults, you also will have failed. However, any minor minor faults that total less than 15, means you will have passed. The examiner will tell you all of this in the car. If you have passed, you’ll receive a test certificate and the examiner will send off for your full driving licence. If you do fail your test, it’s important that you don’t throw away the feedback you are given - you can use it to ensure you practice anything that you failed on.
Buy your first car with Swansway
If you’ve passed your driving test or even if you’ve just started learning, you may be looking for your very first car to practice in. At Swansway, we have a range of new and used cars available for a range of budgets - there’s truly something for everyone. Before buying a car, double-check the insurance costs of the vehicle you want to buy - insurance for first-time drivers can be very expensive depending on the type of car you decide on. If you’re unsure what you're looking for or would like more information about one of the vehicles you see on our website, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our team and we’d be happy to help you.