The Practical Test

What to expect on the day

The practical test is roughly 40 minutes long and covers a wide range of roads and traffic situations, including one manoeuvre and a 20-minute independent driving section. You may also be asked to perform a controlled stop.

You will begin with an eyesight check — you need to read a number plate from 20.5 metres. You will then be asked two “show me, tell me” safety questions: a “tell me” before you set off, and a “show me” while driving. Your instructor will have practised all of these with you beforehand. Once you are in the car, the examiner gives a brief explanation and then you are ready to roll.

What the test includes

You are allowed up to 15 driving faults and still pass; 16 or more, or a single serious or dangerous fault, results in a fail. The examiner directs you verbally and, during the independent driving section, using a sat nav. If you are ever unsure, just ask them to repeat the instruction.

Manoeuvres

You will be asked to carry out one of the following:

• Pull up on the right and reverse — park on the right, reverse about two car lengths, then move off again.
• Parallel parking — reverse neatly behind a parked car and finish close to the kerb.
• Bay parking — reverse into or drive into a bay, at the test centre or a car park.

You may also be asked to perform an emergency stop. Above all, drive the way your instructor has taught you — a small mistake is often only a minor fault, so keep going.

Following directions by sat nav

The examiner brings and operates a sat nav with a stored route for the independent driving section. If it stops working, they will simply give you verbal directions instead. When you book, note any special needs — examiners are experienced and will adapt the test to suit you.

End of the test

When you finish, the examiner tells you whether you have passed and offers a debrief of your drive. You can ask your instructor to listen in.

The standard needed to pass

Every examiner marks to the same standard — there are no pass or fail quotas. Just drive to the standard your instructor has taught you and you will pass. The practical test currently costs £62, and our nearest test centre is in Newton Abbot. We regularly prepare learners from Torquay, Paignton and across Torbay, practising the local test routes before the big day.