The Driving Test
By David Joberns IAM. DSA Driving Examiner (retired).
Welcome to one of the oldest continuous sites on the Web, continuously updated.
Foreword.
This site is about the Driving Test, and is not about learning to drive, and includes details on the Eyesight Test and "Tell me, show me", Emergency Stop, Parallel or Reverse Park, Corner Reverse, Turn in the Road or Three Point Turn, Roundabouts, the
Hill Start (see Turn in the Road), the Theory Test and Hazard Perception Test, with complete set of new rules to help you pass the HPT, perhaps help with test nerves and what constitutes a serious marking, and advice on General Driving during the test. For a driving instructor go to Need an Instructor?
I also have help for after the successful test, with hints on Motorway driving,
and Driving abroad; it debates possible causes
of Accidents, explodes a few myths, puts forward a few theories
about the future, and there are a couple of motoring stories, alternatively, go to the site map for everything. To book your test call the DSA national number at 0300-200-1122 and have your credit/debit card handy.
You can also book both theory and practical tests on line at To book your test.
This text takes you through a simulated test, showing the
wordings an examiner may use, any wordings
can be used, so long as the meaning is the same, so what you actually hear will vary slightly.
Highlighted links in the text will bring up a pop-up window showing the serious markings that should be avoided in this specific part of the test.
Waiting room preliminaries. This is what should happen. It may vary slightly from centre to centre. The examiner will come in and call your name, and will ask to see your driving licence, your photo ID and if required, your Theory Test pass certificate. Regarding the paper component of your licence. I am informed that at the moment the situation is - no paper component - no test, so bring it along. He will ask you to read and sign an insurance and residency declaration, and will enquire if your address is still the same as on your licence. If it isn't the same he will ask you to enter your new address on your licence paper counterpart. He will then ask you to lead the way to your car.
Either on the way to the car or after getting in, the examiner will introduce himself and ask if he may call you by your first name. After getting in he will give a short de-briefing about the test, that it will last around 40 minutes and will include two manoeuvres, all of which will be similar to what you have been practising with your instructor or accompanying driver.
What the candidate experiences, during the test, is shown in
italics in the text, with the examiner's words in bold,
whilst technical explanations about each aspect are in the type
you see here.
Simulated manoeuvres are described in some detail because they
are in a controlled environment, with only the actions of the
candidate acting as a variable. The general driving has not been
described at all because this is subject to countless variables,
which is one of the reasons why the test is feared. It is the
fear of the unknown. I can do little about that here. This is in
the hands of your instructor, to cover every likely eventuality,
probably many times over. If I attempted to cover this here, it
would create more questions and problems than it would solve.
So choose an Approved Instructor, they have all passed the same strict qualifying
exams, follow the advice given, for it will be good advice.
Listen to no-one else, for that will almost certainly be bad
advice. Despite the exams, the actual quality of instruction can vary enormously. For guidance on this listen to word of mouth recommendations, and don't expect your training to be completed in five minutes. There is a big syllabus to be covered which takes time. So there you are, read this, then go get'um!
Please note that driver training is not within the scope of this site, please direct questions on this to your instructor.
Finally, a brief note to site authors. It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and if anyone wants to use parts of the following pages, feel free to do so. Would be nice though if you acknowledged where it came from. Not everyone is giving me this courtesy.
Okay, if you got this far down without using one of the links above, let's go to the site
map.
David Joberns. DE Ret'd.
CONTACT ME