The Practical Driving Test can be booked on line By clicking here or by phone on 0300 200 1122.
You will need your Driving License, your Theory Test Certificate and a credit / Debit Card for the cost of £62.00.
There are sometimes tests available at weekends but these are at the rate of £75.00.
(Please ensure that your instructor is available before you book your test, Your instructor has an ADI number which you should quote when booking your test, this will ensure that you do not double book the instructor)
Test routes are designed to be as uniform as possible include a range of typical road and traffic conditions.
Here is the DVSA Video explaining the Driving Test
Eyesight check
You’ll have to 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
New-style number plates start with 2 letters followed by 2 numbers, such as AB51 ABC.
You’ll fail your driving test if you fail the eyesight check. The test will end.
‘Show me, tell me’ questions
You’ll be asked 2 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
Your general driving ability
You’ll drive in various road and traffic conditions, but not on motorways.
The examiner will give you directions that you should follow. Driving test routes are not published, so you cannot check them before your test.
Pulling over at the side of the road
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.
Reversing your vehicle
The examiner will ask you to do one of the following exercises:
- parallel park at the side of the road
- park in a parking bay – either by driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out (the examiner will tell you which you have to do)
- pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths, and rejoin the traffic
Independent driving
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 traffic signs
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.
Going off the route
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.
If you make mistakes during your test
You can carry on if you make a mistake. It might not affect your test result if it’s not serious.
Your driving examiner will direct you back to the driving test centre if the mistake you made means you’ve failed. The test will end early.
Other people at your test
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.
Driving Test – Extended
Re-testing for disqualified drivers and riders was introduced on 06 January 1992. The cost of the extended test is £124.00 (Extended tests will last about 70 minutes)
Courts can impose an extended driving test on anyone convicted of dangerous driving offences convicted of other offences involving obligatory disqualification
Loss of your driving licence for dangerous driving or related offences involving obligatory disqualification means that you return to ‘learner’ status.
Normal rules for provisional licence-holders will apply.You must take and pass a theory test for the category of vehicle for which you intend to take an extended practical driving test.
The extended driving test is longer and therefore more demanding. It lasts for about 70 minutes and covers a wide variety of roads, usually including dual carriageways.
You are advised to prepare by taking suitable instruction from an ADI.
The higher fee reflects the length of the test.The purpose of re-testing is not punitive; it is a road safety measure, to check the driver’s competence.