Practical Driving Test Explained

The test will include an eyesight check (if you fail this, your test will not continue).

The eyesight test requires you to read a number plate that is a certain distance away. For more information about the eyesight check please use the 'Driving eyesight requirements' link below.

Driving Eyesight Requirements

After the eyesight test you will be asked two vehicle safety check questions. You will then be examined on your general driving and on two reversing exercises. The reversing exercises will be chosen from:

* reversing around a corner

* turning in the road

* reverse parking [ either bay parking or parallel parking ]

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

The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes. Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises. You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test.

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

* can drive safely
* know The Highway Code and can demonstrate this through your driving

When the driving test is over, the examiner will tell you whether you passed or failed. You can request feedback on your test from the examiner, who will then go through your performance during the test.