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.
You’ll drive for around 35 minutes.
You’ll drive for around 65 minutes if you’re taking an extended driving testbecause you’ve been banned from driving.
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.
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
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 a traffic sign (for example, because it’s covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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