tips to success in driving test

This is your opportunity to earn the right to be able to drive with no one sitting next to you and gain your independence. You have probably invested a lot of time, effort and money getting to this point. When you are successful this is just the beginning of a new chapter in your driving career.

You can obtain a driving test application form DL26 from your driving instructor, any driving or theory test centre or by telephoning the driving test enquiry line on 0870 0101 372, between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. Welsh speakers can also book on 0870 0100 372. If you are deaf and need a minicom machine telephone 0870 0106 372. If you are able to pay by credit or debit card you can book a driving test appointment direct on the same numbers without the need to complete an application form. You will however, need to quote your driver number from your provisional driving licence, your theory test pass certificate number your instructor ADI number or business ID number. Upon booking you will be given a booking number and sent an appointment letter as confirmation within a few days.

The DSA are required to make every effort to ensure that all candidates can take the driving test. However, it is important that you discuss your needs with them when booking the test.If you cannot speak English or are deaf you are allowed to bring an interpreter with you who must be at least 16 years of age and cannot be a driving instructor.
If you are disabled you will receive the same test, however, more time will be allocated so that you can explain the nature of your disability and describe any special adaptations fitted to your vehicle.

While you are driving the examiner will note any driving faults on the driving test report form DL25. The driving faults are categorised into minor, serious and dangerous and are recorded against the appropriate headings shown below. Each fault is denoted by a slash in the appropriate box. At the end of the test the examiner will total up the number of minor driving faults under each heading and overall. If you commit 16 or more minor driving faults you will unfortunately fail the driving test. If you commit one or more serious or dangerous driving faults you will also fail the test. Even if you feel you have failed the test you should continue to try, as the test will help you to identify where you need more practice.

The practical test is about making sure that those who pass are competent and safe in the basic skills of driving. Before you take the test, indeed before you book it, you must have passed the theory and hazard perception tests.Always seek the advice of your driving instructor before booking the practical test. They should give you an honest appraisal of your driving abilities, and the chances you have of passing the test.The practical test will start at one of the many driving test centres dotted around the UK. When booking the test, you can choose which centre you want to use.

If you are, and by late I mean by as little as five minutes, the test examiner will cancel your test and you will lose the test fee you have already paid. It will then be up to you to book another test, and wait for another test date to become available.

At the start of the practical test, the examiner will come out and call your name. You will then be asked to read and sign the insurance and residency declarations while the examiner inspects your documentation. If all is in order, you will then be asked to walk to your car.You are now able to have your driving instructor accompany you on your practical test. This decision is entirely your own to make. The instructor is not permitted to help you or assist you in any way while the test is being conducted.

Before getting to your car, the examiner will ask you to stop and read a new style number plate at a 20m or an old style number plate at a distance of 20.5m. If you fail to do this, the exam will go no further, you will fail.

The practical now includes a section called independent driving. Its aim is to assess a candidates ability to make their own decisions whilst driving. For a detailed description see our independent driving page.

The centre where you take your test will use a set of standard routes for tests conducted from it. Although these routes are not officially made public, you can buy them off the internet. Some learner drivers think that knowing the routes will give them an advantage, but I think this is dubious. If you have the ability to pass the driving test, and if you do not then you should not be taking your test, knowing the route your test will take will provide little or no advantage, as you should be able to deal with all road traffic situations and obstacles regardless of how well you know the route. It should also be remembered that these routes are never fixed and the examiner, due to road works and traffic conditions, can deviate from them while on your test.
However, if there is a particularly large roundabout, or other such feature that fills you with trepidation, on a road close to your test centre, then, of course, practice using it with your driving instructor.