Eyesight check

The test includes an eyesight check. If you fail this, your test will not continue. The eyesight test requires you to read a number plate that is a certain distance away. For more information, visit:

After the eyesight test you will be asked two vehicle safety check questions.

Vehicle safety questions

These are basic safety checks that a driver should carry out to make sure the vehicle is safe for use. Although some checks may involve the candidate opening the bonnet to identify where fluid levels would be checked, pupils will not be asked to touch a hot engine or physically check fluid levels.

The examiner will ask you one 'show me' question, where you'll have to show them how you would carry out a vehicle safety check. You'll also be asked one 'tell me' question, where you'll have to explain to the examiner how you would carry out the check.

For example, the examiner might ask you to identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell them how you would check the windscreen washer level.

If you give the wrong answer for one or both questions, you'll be marked with one driving fault.

As vehicle technology advances, more and more vehicles are being equipped with electronic diagnostic systems. These inform the driver of the state of the engine, fluid levels and tyre pressures. It will be acceptable for a candidate to refer to the vehicle information system (if fitted) when answering questions on fluid levels or tyre pressures.

You can find source material in the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) publication 'The official DVSA guide to driving - the essential skills' and 'The official DVSA guide to learning to drive', available online via the link below:

If you plan to use your own vehicle at the practical driving test, there are some vehicles that can't be used for safety reasons. You'll need to check that a recall or safety notice doesn't affect the vehicle.

During the test

During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow. Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. The examiner will ask you to carry out set exercises.

Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it, it might be a less serious driving fault and may not affect your result.

You will then be examined on your general driving and on one reversing exercise. The reversing exercise will be chosen from:

• reversing around a corner
• turning in the road
• reverse parking, either on road or into a parking bay

You will also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.

The examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving. You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test. If at any time your examiner considers you to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.

Independent driving

There will be a section where candidates will be asked to drive independently. For all other parts of the test, examiners will give candidates step-by-step instructions. 

In the independent driving section of the test, you'll have to drive independently by either following:

• traffic signs
• a series of directions
• a combination of both

To help you understand where you are going when following verbal directions, the examiner will show you a diagram.

More information about independent driving is available at the following page:

After the practical test

When the driving test is over, you can call your instructor over (if they didn’t go with you on your test) so that they can hear the result and feedback with you. This feedback is beneficial for your ongoing development whether you have passed or failed. 

Driving test standards

All examiners are trained to carry out the test to the same standard. They do not have pass or fail quotas. As long as you demonstrate the standard required, you will pass your driving test.

Adverse weather

DVA does not conduct driving tests in adverse weather conditions for the safety of the candidate and the examiner.

Practical driving tests are managed locally on a test by test basis, subject to local conditions which are reviewed regularly throughout the day. All attempts will be made to cancel tests in advance; however this is not always possible as local conditions can change quite quickly.

You can get contact details for your local test centre at the link below:

In the event that your driving test is cancelled, another appointment will be arranged automatically at no further cost but compensation is not payable. You will be contacted with a new appointment date as soon as possible.

Taking someone with you on your driving test

DVA promotes the benefits of candidates having an ‘observer on test’. This involves an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), parent or friend sitting in on the test to observe and listen to the examiner’s feedback with a view to providing critical support for the learner and newly qualified driver’s ongoing development and lifelong learning.

The examiner will ask you if you wish to have an accompanying driver to sit in on the test. If you decide that you do not want to be accompanied you will be given the opportunity to have your accompanying driver present for debrief at the end of the test. This allows an ADI to act as an interpreter on the test for their own pupil.