Practical Driving Test Information
The driving test format changed in December 2017. The changes were designed to make sure new drivers have the skills they need to help them through a lifetime of safe driving.
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The cost of a car driving test is currently:
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Weekdays £62
Evenings, weekends and bank holidays £75
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Independent driving
Lasts for around 20 minutes roughly half the test duration.
Sat Nav
During the independent driving part of the test, you may be asked to follow directions from a sat nav. If you are not sure about directions you may ask the examiner for clarification.
1 in 5 tests won’t use a sat nav, instead you will be asked to follow road signs for around 20 minutes.
The sat nav will be placed on a special dash mat, in some cases it will be mounted to the windscreen. The sat nav will display the speed limit and the speed of the car. However, you should use the car’s speedometer. The sound will be left on for the duration of the independent drive. You can ask for the sound to be switched off if you require.
Eye sight test
You will be required to read a vehicle number plate from a distance of 20 metres. If you cannot read the number plate after a few attempts the driving test will be terminated.
'Show me, Tell me'
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The examiner will ask two questions, one question before the pupil starts to drive and one question whilst the pupil is driving.
Show me question while driving
Example: The examiner might ask the pupil, "When it is safe to do so, can you show how you'd operate the horn?"
Tell me question
This will be asked at the start of the test before the pupil starts to drive. You may be required to open the bonnet for some of the questions.
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Example: "Open the bonnet and tell me how you'd check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant".
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The drive
You will drive for approximately 35-40 minutes covering different types of roads and junctions. You may be asked to carry out a hill start, angle start and emergency stop exercise.
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Manoeuvres involving reverse gear
The pupil will be asked to do one of the following:
Parallel park at the side of road.
Bay park – driving forward into a parking bay then reverse out.
Bay park - reversing into a bay and driving out (currently, only if test centre has a car park).
Pull up on right hand side of road, reverse for 2 car lengths and rejoin traffic
The manoeuvre can be done during the independent drive part of the test.
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More information is available at the link below.
Theory Test Information
You will need to pass the driving theory test before booking the car practical driving.
The cost of the driving theory test is currently £23
There are 2 parts to the theory test:
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Multiple choice questions
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Hazard perception clips
You need to pass both parts to pass the theory test.
More information, including practice tests available at the link below.