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When should I apply?

 

Consult your instructor before booking a Driving Test.  He will be aware of your progress and the current waiting time for a test and will advise on when it is appropriate to book.  He can also advise you dates and times that he may not be available.  Of course you should inform him of your target test date, if you have one, and he will advise if/how this might be achieved.

 

You will have the opportunity to take one or more mock tests as part of your training and this will provide useful feedback on your readiness for the actual test.  In any event you cannot book a practical test until you have passed the theory test.

 

What’s the test all about?

 

To pass this test you have to prove that you can control the vehicle and drive safely, observing the correct rules and procedures and that you will not significantly impede the progress of other road users.

 

The test takes around 45 minutes, of which approximately 35-40 minutes will be spent driving.  During the time you are driving, the examiner will be looking for errors and will record them on a report sheet.  To pass, you must commit no serious or dangerous faults and not more than 15 driving faults.

• Driving faults are those which are of a minor nature and not regarded as potentially dangerous.
• Serious faults are acquired if the examiner judges your error to be potentially dangerous.
• Dangerous faults are given if your driving puts someone in danger.

 

Be aware that the examiner may award a serious fault marking if the same driving fault occurs more than 3 times.

 

For the day of the test you must book your instructor for at least 2 hours.  This gives you an hours ‘warm up’ lesson before the test, use of the driving school car to take your test in and a lift home after the test.

 

When you go to take your test you must have both parts of your provisional driving licence with you (plastic id and paper) or you will not be able to take the test.  It is also advisable to take your Theory Test Certificate and the letter confirming your driving test appointment.

What will I have to do on the test?

 

Before you start your drive, the examiner will check your licence, test your eyesight and ask you two questions on basic vehicle maintenance and safety checks (Show Me Tell Me).

 

The test is designed to assess your driving in a range of situations so there will normally be some out-of-town driving as well as urban driving.  You will also be required to carry out two of the low-speed manoeuvres, which you have been taught.  If reversing into a bay is one of them, this will either be done at the test centre, either right at the beginning of the test or at the end.

 

There will also be a number of occasions when the examiner will ask you to pull up at a convenient place and then move away.  At least one of these will involve pulling up close to a parked car.  When you are asked to do this, a cars length will be close enough to satisfy the examiner and easily manageable for you.

 

Emergency stops are carried out on a random basis, but you will be told if you are required to carry out this exercise.

 

There should be no surprises if you have prepared thoroughly.

 

What if I’m not ready for my test?

 

This often happens since the test has to be booked well in advance.  It is a simple matter to change the date - see Booking and Managing a Test.  However this must be done about 1 week before the current test date (the latest date for changing is given on the booking confirmation which you receive). 

 

Your instructor may help you with this if you are unable to do it.