You will drive for around 35 minutes during the practical car driving test. The test is the same for manual and automatic cars, and is normally taken in the car you have used for lessons.
Arriving
You will normally need to arrive at the test centre and park up about 5-10 minutes before the time of your appointment and wait in the waiting room. The examiner will ask to see your provisional licence and will ask you sign the insurance and residency declaration on their form. They will normally then ask you if you want your instructor or accompanying driver to sit in the back during the test and will then ask you to lead the way to your vehicle.
The Test
Having done the eyesight test, when you reach where the car is parked the examiner will ask you one of the vehicle check questions – a “tell me” question where you give a verbal answer as to how you would carry out a safety task.
Independent driving lasts between 20 and 35 minutes. You will follow a sat nav, traffic signs, or a combination of both, as directed by the examiner. The examiner supplies and sets up the sat nav. At other times, they give you directions.
During the test the examiner will ask you to pull up and pull away safely several times including a start on a hill and pulling out at an angle from behind a parked vehicle. You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.
Also during the test you will be asked to carry out a “show me” question from the prescribed list on the move. Show me tell me questions.
You will be asked to do one manoeuvre that involves reversing. This may be:
Reverse parking – either reversing into a parking bay at the test centre or parallel parking in the street; or
Forward parking into a bay – usually in a public car park. You will be asked to drive into a car park and then park (driving forward) in a bay. You need to finish up fully in the bay and then have to reverse out safely and exit the car park.
Pull up on the right, then reverse for two car lengths and then pull away safely.
Read the latest practical test guidance on GOV.UK.
The Result
At the end of the test the examiner will tell you whether you have passed and will offer to explain any mistakes that you have made with your instructor present if you wish.
