The car practical driving test

The driving test for a car is designed for you to show you understand and can demonstrate your knowledge of the Highway Code and the theory of driving safely. Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises.

The driving test is straightforward and has been designed to see if you:

After meeting your examiner, the next two stages are:

• an eyesight check – if you fail this, your test will not continue
• your examiner will ask you two questions about carrying out vehicle safety checks

Driving ability

The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes during which you will be examined on your general driving and ability to reverse your vehicle safely. One exercise will be chosen from:

* reversing around a corner
* turning in the road
* reverse parking

You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise.

Throughout the test you should drive in the way your instructor has taught you. If you make a mistake, don't worry about it as it might be a less serious driving fault and may not affect your result. However, if at any time your examiner considers your driving to be a danger to other road users your test will be stopped.

Your practical driving test will include approximately ten minutes of independent driving. This is designed to assess your ability to drive safely while making decisions independently.