image-of-what-happens-during-a-driving-test

What Happens During A Driving Test? A Complete Guide

If you are approaching your practical driving test, it is completely normal to wonder exactly what is going to happen when you arrive at the test centre and get into the car.

Knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared and allow you to concentrate on your driving rather than worrying about what happens next.

In this guide, we explain what happens during a driving test, including the eyesight check, Show Me Tell Me questions, general driving, independent driving, pulling over, the reversing exercise, driving test faults, what happens if you make a mistake and what you can do if you are unhappy with the service you received.

The information in this guide is based on the current official GOV.UK guidance on what happens during the car driving test.

How Long Does A Driving Test Take?

For a standard car driving test, the test takes around 40 minutes in total.

You will drive for around 35 minutes during the test.

The test is the same whether you are taking your test in a manual or automatic car.

If you are taking an extended driving test because you have been banned from driving, the driving test takes around 65 minutes.

What Are The 4 Parts Of The Driving Test?

The practical car driving test has four main parts:

Each part gives the examiner an opportunity to assess different aspects of your driving and your ability to drive safely and independently.

1. The Eyesight Check

Before you start driving, the examiner will carry out an eyesight check.

You will be asked to read a number plate from the required distance.

The current GOV.UK guidance states that you must be able to read a number plate from:

If you fail the eyesight check, your driving test will end.

This is why it is important to make sure you meet the required eyesight standards before booking and taking your practical driving test.

2. Show Me Tell Me Questions

You will be asked two vehicle safety questions during your driving test. These are known as the Show Me Tell Me questions.

The Tell Me Question

The Tell Me question is asked at the start of the test, before you begin driving.

You will need to explain how you would carry out a particular vehicle safety task.

It is important to learn the official answers and understand what the question is asking you to explain.

The Show Me Question

The Show Me question is asked while you are driving.

You will need to demonstrate a vehicle safety task using the appropriate controls while continuing to drive safely.

The important thing is to make sure you only operate the controls when it is safe to do so. Your driving should remain your priority.

For more information and the official questions and answers, see our guide:

Show Me Tell Me Questions: Complete Guide For Learner Drivers

3. General Driving Ability

A large part of your driving test involves demonstrating that you can drive safely in different road and traffic conditions.

You will drive on a variety of roads and encounter different situations that allow the examiner to assess your driving.

The driving test does not take place on motorways.

Throughout the test, your examiner will give you directions and assess how you deal with the road, traffic and situations around you.

You should drive in the way you have been taught by your driving instructor and demonstrate that you can make safe decisions without needing continuous instruction.

What Will I Be Asked To Do During The Drive?

During the driving test, you will be asked to carry out different tasks and respond to normal road and traffic situations.

This can include being asked to:

You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.

4. Independent Driving

Independent driving is an important part of the practical driving test.

You will drive independently for approximately 20 to 35 minutes.

During this section, you may be asked to follow:

The examiner will tell you which method you need to follow.

Will The Examiner Provide The Sat Nav?

Yes.

If your test involves following a sat nav, the examiner will set it up for you.

You cannot use your own sat nav during the driving test.

The purpose of the independent driving section is to assess your ability to drive safely while following directions and dealing with the road environment around you.

For a more detailed explanation, read our guide:

Independent Driving Explained: What Happens During The Driving Test?

What If I Cannot See A Traffic Sign?

If you are following traffic signs during the independent driving section and you cannot see a sign, the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next relevant sign.

For example, a traffic sign might be obscured by trees or another obstruction.

You should not panic or try to guess what the sign says. Continue to drive safely and follow the examiner's instructions.

What Happens If I Take A Wrong Turning?

One of the things many learners worry about is taking the wrong turning during independent driving.

Taking a wrong turning does not automatically result in a driving fault.

The examiner will help you get back on the route if necessary.

The important thing is to continue driving safely. Do not make a sudden or dangerous manoeuvre simply because you realise you have taken the wrong road.

Remember that your priority should always be safe driving rather than trying to follow the route perfectly.

Do I Need To Know The Driving Test Route?

No.

Driving test routes are not published, so you cannot check the official test route before your test.

Instead of trying to memorise a particular route, it is much more useful to practise driving on a variety of roads and dealing with different road and traffic situations.

Pulling Over During The Driving Test

During the test, you will be asked to pull over and then pull away safely.

The GOV.UK guidance states that this can include:

You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.

Your instructor should give you plenty of practice with these situations before your test so that you can carry them out safely and confidently.

The Reversing Exercise

You will be asked to complete one reversing exercise during your practical driving test.

The examiner can ask you to complete one of the following:

The examiner will tell you which exercise you need to complete.

You should make sure you are comfortable with all of these manoeuvres during your lessons because you will not know in advance which one you will be asked to perform.

What If I Make A Mistake During My Driving Test?

Making a mistake during your driving test does not automatically mean you have failed.

According to the current GOV.UK guidance, you can carry on if you make a mistake and it might not affect your test result if the mistake is not serious.

The examiner will only stop the test if they believe your driving is a danger to other road users.

So, if you make a mistake, try not to let it affect the rest of your test.

For example, if you realise you have made the wrong turn during independent driving, do not panic. Continue driving safely and listen to the examiner's instructions.

Don't Assume The Examiner's Notes Mean You Have Failed

Your examiner will make notes during the test.

Seeing the examiner write something down does not necessarily mean that you have made a serious mistake or failed.

Try to stay focused on the road and continue driving to the best of your ability.

Can Someone Sit In The Car During My Driving Test?

Your driving examiner will ask whether you want someone to sit in the back of the car during your driving test.

This will usually be your driving instructor, but you can also take a relative or friend.

The person sitting in the back cannot take any part in the driving test.

They must meet the requirements for observing a driving test.

Your examiner may also ask whether you want someone with you when you receive your result and feedback at the end of the test.

What Happens At The End Of The Driving Test?

When the driving part of your test is complete, you will return to the test centre or the location directed by the examiner.

The examiner will then give you your result and provide feedback about your driving.

If you have someone with you, such as your driving instructor, you can choose to have them with you for the result and feedback.

Remember that the examiner's job is to assess your driving throughout the test. Try not to judge your performance while you are still driving.

What Should I Do If I Make A Mistake?

If you think you have made a mistake during the test, the most important thing is to keep going.

Do not allow one mistake to cause you to lose concentration for the rest of the test.

Instead:

A mistake does not necessarily mean you have failed, so there is no benefit in giving up mentally before the test has finished.

How Can You Prepare For What Happens During Your Driving Test?

The best preparation is to make sure you are comfortable with all the different parts of the practical test before your test day.

You should practise:

Your driving instructor should help you identify the areas where you need more practice before you take your test.

Driving Test Day: Stay Focused

Knowing what happens during a driving test can make the whole experience feel much less daunting.

Remember that you do not need to drive a particular test route perfectly. You need to demonstrate that you can drive safely, follow instructions and deal with different road and traffic situations.

If you make a mistake, keep going unless the examiner tells you otherwise.

Focus on what is happening in front of you rather than worrying about something that has already happened.

The more familiar you are with the different parts of the test, the more prepared you should feel when you arrive at the test centre.

Behaviour At Driving Test Centres

Driving test centres are professional working environments, and learners, instructors and anyone accompanying them are expected to treat DVSA staff and driving examiners with respect.

DVSA has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, threats and violence towards its staff.

DVSA has stated that learner drivers who swear at or verbally abuse staff can be required to:

DVSA has also stated that anyone who threatens or assaults an examiner, drives away with an examiner still in the vehicle, or damages DVSA property can be reported to the police and face the strongest possible penalties.

Although extremely rare, DVSA has also highlighted that driving instructors who attempt to influence driving test results by harassing or threatening examiners can face restrictions, including being banned from specific driving test centres or being removed from the approved driving instructor register.

The important message for learners is simple: if you are unhappy with your driving test or its result, there are proper channels available for raising your concerns. Abusing or threatening staff is not an appropriate way to challenge a decision.

Can You Complain About Your Driving Test?

You can complain to DVSA if you are not happy with the service you received during your driving test.

This could include problems with booking or managing your test, or concerns about your driving examiner's behaviour.

DVSA aims to reply to your complaint within 10 working days.

However, it is important to understand that DVSA cannot change your driving test result as a result of a complaint.

What To Include In Your Complaint

When making a complaint, you need to tell DVSA:

You also need to include 2 of the following 3 pieces of information:

By Email

DVSA Customer Services
customerservices@dvsa.gov.uk

By Post

DVSA
PO Box 967
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
NE99 2GU

If You're Not Happy With The DVSA Response

If you are not happy with DVSA's response to your complaint, you can contact the DVSA Public Liaison team and ask for your complaint to be looked at again.

DVSA aims to reply within 10 working days.

Online

This is the quickest and easiest way to ask for your complaint to be looked at again. You can use the DVSA Public Liaison online service.

By Email

If you cannot use the online service, you can contact the DVSA Public Liaison team by email:

public.liaison@dvsa.gov.uk

By Post

If you cannot use the online service or email, you can contact the Public Liaison team by post:

Public Liaison Team
DVSA
1 Unity Square
Nottingham
NG2 1AY

Can You Appeal Your Driving Test?

If you told DVSA that your driving examiner did not follow the law when carrying out your test, but DVSA did not agree with you, you may be able to appeal your driving test to a court.

However, it is important to understand that the court cannot change your driving test result.

DVSA's complaints and appeal procedures are separate from simply disagreeing with the examiner's assessment of your driving. If you are unhappy with the service you received, you can use the DVSA complaints process.

Final Thoughts

The practical driving test can seem intimidating when you do not know what to expect.

However, once you understand the different parts of the test, the process becomes much easier to prepare for.

You will complete an eyesight check, answer two vehicle safety questions, demonstrate your general driving ability, complete independent driving and carry out one reversing exercise.

There may also be situations such as hill starts, pulling out from behind parked vehicles and an emergency stop.

Most importantly, remember that making one mistake does not automatically mean you have failed. Stay calm, continue driving safely and concentrate on the next situation.

If you have concerns about the service you received during your test, there are official DVSA procedures for making a complaint. These procedures are separate from the assessment of your driving.

For the most up-to-date official information, always check the GOV.UK guidance on what happens during the driving test.

Related Learner Driver Guides

You may also find these guides useful:

Explore Our Complete Learner Driver Guides

Explore our complete guides covering every stage of learning to drive, from your first driving lesson and theory test to preparing for your practical driving test, understanding the Highway Code, mastering driving manoeuvres and keeping up to date with the latest DVSA news and updates related to driving.


Or visit our Driving Lessons & Learner Driver Blogs to explore all our latest driving guides, advice and DVSA updates.

If you're ready to start learning, book your driving lessons online today and take the first step towards becoming a safe, confident and independent driver.


Written by A Class Learners
Providing professional driving lessons across London, Essex and the UK, alongside expert learner driver advice and comprehensive UK driving guides designed to help learners become safe, confident and independent drivers for life.

⇧ Back to top ⇧