Vehicle safety questions
You will be asked two vehicle safety check questions. One ‘show me’ and one ‘tell me’. One or both of these questions answered incorrectly will result in one minor driving fault being recorded. These questions are basic safety checks that a driver should carry out to ensure 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. As vehicle technology advances, more and more vehicles are being equipped with electronic diagnostic systems, which 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.
Your general driving ability
You will then be examined on your general driving, including independent driving, one manoeuvre and possibly an emergency stop. Your required manoeuvres will be either :- Reversing around a corner . Turn in the road using forward and reverse gears. Bay Parking. Parallel Park. During the driving test the examiner will give you directions which you should follow, then instruct you when to start the independent driving test. Routes are designed to be as uniform as possible and will include a range of typical road and traffic conditions. Throughout the test you should drive in the way your driving instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don’t worry about it, just put it behind you and continue. 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 faults results in failure. 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.
After the practical driving test
When the driving test has ended, you can call your instructor over, if they didn’t go with you on your driving test. This is so they can listen to the result and feedback with you. The examiner will tell you whether you passed or failed and will explain how you did during the test.
When you pass your Practical Driving Test
If you pass your driving test, and have a photo-card driving licence issued after 1 March 2004 the examiner will ask you if you want your full driving licence issued to you automatically. If you want to use this service, the examiner will take your old licence off you, scan the details and send them electronically to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVSA). You will then be given a pass certificate to prove you passed your test. DVSA will then send you your new full licence by post within four weeks of you passing your practical driving test. If you pass your test but do not want to use this automatic service, or have a licence issued before 1 March 2004, you will be given a pass certificate by the examiner. On the back of the pass certificate it tells you what you need to do next. This involves sending your licence and appropriate fee to DVSA who will then check your application and issue you with a new full licence. Please remember that you must apply for your driving licence within 2 years of passing your driving test, or your licence will be revoked and you will have to take the Theory and driving test again.
