Practical Test
The Practical Driving Test
This will include an eyesight test (if you fail this, your test will not continue). After the eyesight test you will be examined on your general driving and on two reversing exercises. The reversing exercises will be chosen from:
- Reversing around a corner
- Turning in the road
- Reverse parking
You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise. A standard driving test takes about 40 minutes.
You can make up to 15 driving 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. If at any time your examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.
Part of the practical test will include:
Show me/tell me questions
These are basic safety checks that a driver should carry out to ensure the vehicle is safe to use. Although some checks may involve the candidate in opening the bonnet to identify where fluid levels would be checked, pupils will not be asked to touch a hot engine or physically check fluid levels.
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. Please find examples of safety check questions for cars in the related content box.