Driving Test: Cars: What Happens During The Test - GOV.UK

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Contents

1. Booking your test
2. What to take to your test
3. Using your own car for your test
4. What happens during the test
5. Driving test faults and your result
6. If your test is cancelled or there's bad weather
7. If you have a disability, health condition or learning difficulty

What happens during the test

There are 4 parts to the driving test:

• an eyesight check
• ‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
• general driving ability (including independent driving)
• reversing your vehicle

The test is the same for both manual and automatic cars.

How long the test lasts

You’ll drive for around 35 minutes.

You’ll drive for around 65 minutes if you’re taking an extended driving test because you’ve been banned from driving.

Eyesight check

You’ll have to read a number plate from a distance of:

• 20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate
• 20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate

New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, such as AB51 ABC.

You’ll fail your driving test if you fail the eyesight check. The test will end.

‘Show me, tell me’ questions

You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.

You’ll be asked the:

• ‘tell me’ question at the start of your test, before you start driving
• ‘show me’ question while you’re driving

Your general driving ability (including independent driving)

You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions, but not on motorways.

You’ll drive independently for 20 to 35 minutes. You’ll need to follow either:

• directions from a sat nav
• traffic signs
• a combination of both

The examiner will tell you which you have to follow.

They’ll set the sat nav up for you. You cannot use your own sat nav.

If you cannot see traffic signs

If you cannot see a traffic sign (for example, because it’s covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one.

Going off the route

The examiner will not give you a fault for taking a wrong turning.

They’ll help you get back on the route if you do.

If you’re not following a sat nav or traffic signs

The examiner will give you turn-by-turn directions to follow at any time when you’re not following directions from a sat nav or traffic signs.

Driving test routes are not published, so you cannot check them before your test.

Pulling over at the side of the road

You’ll be asked to pull over and pull away during your test, including:

• a normal stop at the side of the road
• pulling out from behind a parked vehicle
• a hill start

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

Reversing your vehicle

The examiner will ask you to do one of the following exercises:

• parallel park at the side of the road
• park in a parking bay - either by driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which you have to do)
• pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic

If you make mistakes during your test

You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious.

Your driving examiner will only stop your test if they think your driving is a danger to other road users.

Other people at your test

Your driving examiner’s supervisor might sit in on your test to watch your examiner’s performance. If you refuse, your test can be cancelled and you’ll have to book another test and pay again.

Your driving examiner will ask if you want someone to:

• sit in the back of the car during the test
• be with you for the result and feedback

This will usually be your driving instructor, but you can take a relative or friend. They cannot take any part in the test.

They must:

• be over 16
• follow the rules about observing tests

Previous:Using your own car for your test Next:Driving test faults and your result View a printable version of the whole guide

This page is Part of Learn to drive a car: step by step

1. Step 1: Check you're allowed to drive

   Most people can start learning to drive when they’re 17.

   1. Check what age you can drive
   2. Requirements for driving legally
   3. Driving eyesight rules

2. Step 2: Get a provisional licence

   1. Apply for your first provisional driving licence £34 to £43

3. Step 3: Driving lessons and practice

   You need a provisional driving licence to take lessons or practise.

   1. The Highway Code
   2. Taking driving lessons
   3. Find driving schools, lessons and instructors
   4. Practise vehicle safety questions

4. and Prepare for your theory test

   1. Theory test revision and practice
   2. Take a practice theory test
   3. Theory and hazard perception test app

5. Step 4: Book and manage your theory test

   You need a provisional driving licence to book your theory test.

   1. Book your theory test £23
   2. What to take to your test
   3. Change your theory test appointment
   4. Check your theory test appointment details
   5. Cancel your theory test

6. Step 5: Book and manage your driving test

   You must pass your theory test before you can book your driving test.

   1. Book your driving test £62 to £75
   2. What to take to your test
   3. Change your driving test appointment
   4. Check your driving test appointment details
   5. Cancel your driving test

7. Step 6: When you pass

   You can start driving as soon as you pass your driving test.

   You must have an insurance policy that allows you to drive without supervision.

   1. Find out about Pass Plus training courses

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