The practical driving test will last for approximately 40 minutes, Steve generally takes his clients to test centres at Portsmouth, Chichester or Winchester.
There are 5 parts to the practical driving test:
an eyesight check
‘show me, tell me’ vehicle safety questions
general driving ability
reversing your vehicle
independent driving
Read a number plate from a distance of:
20 metres for vehicles with a new-style number plate
20.5 metres for vehicles with an old-style number plate
Two vehicle safety questions known as the ‘show me, tell me’ questions.
You’ll be asked the:
‘tell me’ question at the start of your test, before you start driving
‘show me’ question while you’re driving
You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions, but not on motorways.
The examiner will give you directions that you should follow.
You’ll be asked to pull over and pull away during your test, including:
normal stops at the side of the road
pulling out from behind a parked vehicle
a hill start
You might also be asked to carry out an emergency stop.
You’ll have to drive for about 20 minutes by following either:
directions from a sat nav
traffic signs
The examiner will tell you which you have to follow.
They’ll set the sat nav up for you. You cannot use your own sat nav.
If you cannot see a traffic sign (for example, because it’s covered by trees), the examiner will give you directions until you can see the next one.
The examiner will not give you a fault for taking a wrong turning.
They’ll help you get back on the route if you do.
Your driving examiner’s supervisor might sit in on your test to watch your examiner’s performance. If you refuse, your test can be cancelled and you’ll have to book another test and pay again.
This government campaign’s aim is to improve pupil’s understanding of what it means to be test ready and how they can assess their readiness. If they are not ready, pupils will be encouraged to delay their test. It also aims to help reduce the number of tests that are wasted.
89% of learners and 70% of parents say that driving instructors are the biggest influence over pupils when it comes to them assessing their test readiness.