Preparing for the practical driving test

What the test contains

Nothing in the test is a trick. It is a normal drive, observed.

• Eyesight check — read a number plate at 20 metres
• One 'tell me' question before driving, one 'show me' question while driving
• Around 40 minutes of general driving on a variety of roads
• One reversing manoeuvre chosen by the examiner
• Roughly 20 minutes of independent driving, following a sat nav or road signs
• Possibly an emergency stop (about one test in three)

How it is marked

Faults are recorded in three grades: driving faults (minors), serious faults and dangerous faults. You pass with up to 15 driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults. Repeating the same driving fault can be escalated to a serious fault, which is why habitual errors matter more than one-off wobbles.

What to bring and check

If any of this is missing the test can be cancelled and you may lose the fee.

• Your provisional photocard licence
• Your theory test pass details
• A car that is legal, insured for the test, taxed, MOT'd and fitted with L plates
• Glasses or lenses if you need them
• Your instructor, if you are using their car

The final two weeks

Focus narrowly. Ask your instructor which two or three things would fail you today, and drill those. Drive the test-centre area at the same time of day as your test if you can, because traffic patterns differ enormously between 9am and 2pm.

A mock test run to test standard by your instructor is the most honest readiness check available. Some instructors on DriveBooked offer these as a specific additional service.

Test-day nerves

Sleep matters more than a last-minute lesson. Arrive with time to spare, use the toilet before you go in, and remember the examiner wants you to pass — they are checking you are safe, not looking for reasons to fail you. If you make a mistake, deal with it and keep driving; candidates pass with faults every single day.